JROTC: Motivating Young People To Be Better Citizens

Service is simply an act of helpful activity and the transferable skills that are gained from service illustrate the importance of being involved. By volunteering in my community and taking part in organizations that are centered on service, I am able to strengthen my understanding of my surroundings, and I am taught more compassion for others. Being involved presents unlimited opportunities to give back to others, and with the skills instilled by service, I am able to make a difference in the lives around me. Experience gained with service creates characteristics in a person that can shape the direction of my life, and I will value that in the future.

When I was asked to speak about service, the first thing I had to ponder was what exactly is service. In the world we live in today, there is so many different ways to serve those around you. Whether it is giving back to your school, local community, or even across borders the goal is always the same. Give a little piece of yourself for a greater good while expecting nothing in return.

In the course of my time at Union County College, I was able to participate in measures that aided my community and those in need. I took part in the donation and creation of care bags which were donated to the Salvation Army. This initiative was made by AESNJ as part of their statewide drive to help those who lack the resources needed to obtain day to day necessities such as hygienic supplies, socks, tissues and other essentials. Additionally, I made a financial contribution which went towards aiding Syrian children. Helping individuals in need encouraged me to participate in Strides against Breast Cancer a walkathon which generated money for women whose lives were impacted by cancer. The financial donations assisted women who were unable

From day one my mom taught me that you will get more satisfaction giving to and helping others than you ever will by just doing things for yourself. I truly believe this. Volunteering to teach swimming lessons, organizing recycled items, and visiting the nursing home are all things I have been involved in and doing each of those I have learned more and more about how important service is. Just recently my classmates and I helped an elderly woman move all of her belongings out of her home and into the 4H building for an auction. The 4H building is on the fairgrounds where I have volunteered to clean up every spring for the last 3 years. Service is very important but also very rewarding. I look toward to doing more service projects in the

I’ve dedicated Tuesdays and Fridays to mentoring 9th-graders about making their high school experience easier. My brother’s compassion leads me to mentor another class of special needs students. My passion for giving back to the less fortunate has led me to be a spokeswoman for the "Promise of Gwinnett" campaign and to speak in front of the GA Board of Education about my experiences with education. I made connections and strengthened my relationships with the underappreciated cafeteria staff and custodians through the Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy (CLA) as we threw them a celebration for their service. Every day I’ve been selling candy for CLA to raise money for a scholarship for those in need of financial aid. But my biggest success that triumphs in my heart is my dedication to Holiday

In eighth grade, I reached beyond my community and took part in a Stop Hunger Now program. The goal was to package 20,000 meals in under two hours and we reached it with time to spare. We wrote a reflection after having engaged in this service event; I don’t remember exactly what I had written, but I do remember the contentment I felt after helping that number of people. I learned that I retain a sense of confidence and satisfaction when someone has a smile on their face as a result of my

On December 22, I volunteered with Centre 55 through Minga. Our group put together boxes of food and moved supplies into trucks to be brought to where we would donate them. These boxes had food for a holiday dinner as well as other supplies, that particularly seniors are unable to get themselves. Once we had packed the trucks, we went to a few apartment buildings and brought it to the doors of the people. One challenge was that the boxes were heavy, and we were having a hard time carrying them to people’s doors. My group decided to take turns carrying the heaviest box so that everyone had a chance carrying the lighter bags. When residents of the building saw us, they were happy we were helping out, and this personally motivated me more.

First, I learned that helping others is one of the best things that you can do. When you help people, it makes them feel good and even feel some relief. Whenever I help someone, I always feel better afterwards. At the end of the day, I feel like I can relax. Second, I learned that people really appreciate it when you help them. My grandmother has been grateful to me ever since I started helping her by doing basic chores around her house. Third, I learned that people will have a lot of respect for you. They see that you took time out of your busy schedule to help them and they will not forget it. They will also be able to trust you. It makes me feel like a better person if people trust me. Finally, I learned that helping someone else can get your mind off of your own problems. If you did badly on a test, had a death in the family, or you are just having a bad day for any reason, serving others will be a good way to keep you from thinking about it. It would be like getting a good workout at the gym.

Instead of being in the library or at school, I was out on the road with the underground passing out food and water to the homeless. It was my idea to bring out food for those who couldn’t get to us. There were a lot of people who were disabled and barely able to move who needed help.

On a cold day in the beginning of November, my mother told me that it was the time of year to be thankful for what you have, and that I should find a way to give back to our community. It took me a while to decide how I could give back. I thought for a long time about how I could help others during the season of giving. Finally, after lots of thinking, it came to me. I can donate food to the less fortunate.

It was my spring break and the weather outside at 6am was wet with wind chills in the 30s. Snow had covered all our supplies and lay as a thick blanket atop our pile of two by eights. This was the first time I had ever seen snow and my first experience with a sawzaw. Our mission trip this year had brought us to Floyd County, Kentucky to help rebuild homes for those who live in areas that are considered to have some of the highest poverty rates in the nation. The people here do not have much, so they were very grateful that we were able to come out and provide them with the help they needed in stabilizing their homes after the rough winter. I was working on a home belonging to Porty, a man responsible for providing for his family of eight when he became disabled after a back injury in the mines years prior. We had gotten a few chances to talk while I was there and he spoke with such enthusiasm of how truly grateful he was that we were helping his family. It was towards the end of the week and we had sat down for a moment, and while I was sitting on the floor playing with his granddaughter, he thanked me. It was such a simple moment, but my spirits were lifted and I realized that I was making a difference with my involvement here. It might be a small contribution in the scheme of it all but it

Service has always been a vital part of my life. For me, there has always been a great joy and a sense of accomplishment in helping those in need. Once I entered high school, it was exhilarating to discover that there were clubs solely dedicated to community service A major one is Key Club International, an organization that performs acts of service

Every Thanksgiving there are 50 million Americans that are struggling with poverty in this country. Many families around this time of year cannot afford to have a turkey or traditional foods to celebrate this holiday. Through phi theta kappa, our chapter did a food drive around Faulkner state community college to help make a difference for families around the community. I was responsible for the food drop boxes and paired with other officers to go to all classes on campus for a week to get canned goods and other necessities for Thanksgiving. Through our food drive we were able to feed families and give them a Thanksgiving dinner they

First, serving others is the process of finding yourself; it is a way to improve your outlook on life as well as you discover your talent. Serving others offers a chance to find some abilities that you did not know you contained. For example, I participate a community service in your local community’s nursing house. I work with my neighbors as a team to clean the nursing house

The world is divided between good and bad. As humans, we have the constant need to be seen as something greater than we sometimes are. We seek approval, and acceptance. We mirror our actions based on expectations. Especially in the society being created by this new generation. Everything look glamorous, yet nothing is real. I am astonished every time I see a glimmer of humanity being shown out of pure will, instead of for social recognition. In Jrotc, I get to be amazed everyday. The way cadets dedicate themselves to help other whenever they can, it’s a sign of hope that this generation is not a complete waste, as many say, but a new beginning. Cadets in this program have helped me learned that the thing that makes you the most beautiful, it your service to others.