Personal Narrative: America's Gift Of Volunteerism

The gift that my group performed for the community of Juneau, Alaska is snow removal. The group consisted of my two most trustworthy peers Marcos Yadao and Mitchell Laudert. We all understood that living in a small tight knit town such as Juneau; the smallest of tasks can have the biggest impacts. That is when the light bulb in our intellectual brains and the idea of snow removal came to mind. It was an appropriate job for the winter season. With heavy snow flurries in the forecast, this would be an achievable accomplishment. With the service in mind our next step was to pick a location. We did not want to select the wealthy neighborhoods because the residents there would probably be financially able to pay for such services. The location that we settled on was not a poverty stricken area, but the homes consisted of elderly residence. To avoid complications with the occupants of the home and explain our reasoning for the free service we wanted to only do homes were the residence weren’t present. That did not hold up to a standard when we actually got around to carry out the service. The whole point of going out and helping people of Juneau with their snow blanketed driveways, walkways, and porches too was to gain self respect and also to prove to the world that good can come from anything and anywhere too.

An inspired military, countless civic engagement programs, and a born again patriotic nation will be birthed from initiating a National Service. Promoting the betterment of this country will breed a new generation of Americans. Someday this National Service could become a Universal Service, stretching across the globe, unifying countries and promoting altruism as a cultural norm. Assisting the less fortunate and protecting mother nature can only benefit future generations, as a greener, more educated America takes the reins of this country’s future. Harness the spirit of volunteerism and make it a permanent part of American culture (Stengel). Create a better tomorrow. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” –President

Volunteers of America is not only a nonprofit community organization but also a ministry of service that is committed to helping people in need to rebuild their lives and reach their total potential. The organization is effective in helping people in need to rebuild their lives through its huge workforce that consist of approximately 16,000 paid professional employees. Moreover, the organization also accomplishes its mission through various human service programs such as housing and healthcare. Throughout its history, Volunteers of America has continued to support and empower the most vulnerable groups in America including at-risk youth, homeless individuals and families, veterans, people returning from prisons, and individuals recovering from addictions. Generally, through integrating deep compassion with the highly efficient programs and services, the organization's work touches the heart, body, mind, and spirit of the people it serves.

Volunteering in America is something that has helped this country to grow the way it has. Services that were given through volunteering are a necessary part of how this country has dealt with its challenges. Beyond the wars that have made and changed the lives of Americans, this country has also had to deal with tragedy that strikes with natural

I have taken the same risks every other person has taken. I have driven a car, got on an airplane, crossed the street, trust people I barely know; all risks that we have taken daily. We put our hearts, lives, and safety at risk all the time. Getting into relationships, telling people secrets but, the risk I took was more of a moral and personal risk. The last three months I have decided to volunteer at the Orlando Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

Volunteering has been an essential part of my life in the past few years. As an immigrant to Canada, I deemed it my responsibility to serve my community here and back home. Hence when I got ample of opportunities to get involved I always seized them.

My uncle, Gary Norder, is my American Hero because of his devotion toward me, and my family, The times he spends with me, and the effort he puts toward to support his family and mine amazes me. My uncle and his brothers started a company called Custom Caulking. The Norder brothers say it's been hard for them, but they still manage to sustain a wealthy business.

America’s gift to my generation is amazing because veterans have used all their potential for us. They fought for us to be alive right now. Their gift to us is much more than I expected. I am so thankful and I appreciate all they have done for us.

The rays of cold sun escaping through the translucent clouds below resembled the clear, peacefulness below me, clearing the freshly fallen heaps of snow. After weeks of both kindness and crimes, thankfully I have witnessed no murderous intentions. My attention, although it radiates throughout the world, is focused upon a certain area in America, in which no name is exigent, however is located in a populous sector of New York. Women with baskets often thrust breadcrumbs by the handful to be, where upon they hit the ground only three count inches from her feet.

Volunteering at Memorial Hermann transformed my life by teaching me lessons through small moments. One such instant occurred when I went to wheel an old lady visiting her husband. The lady and I conversed for many minutes about college, my future plans, and life in general. When we reached the lobby, the lady wished me luck in all my future endeavors. Coincidentally, I wheeled the lady several times after that and each time she would remember

“Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together” (Ryan). These words said by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, reflects the words my parents would always say to me when I was little. I would donate old clothes that did not fit, or toys I did not play with anymore. Every summer I would volunteer at my town’s public library, as well as at my church. However, as I got older, doing the simple tasks at the library felt tedious and uninteresting so I stopped volunteering for a while. There were times when I had spare time that could have and should have been put to use volunteering, but I did not have the motivation. However, after being inducted into my High School’s National Honors Society, I needed volunteer hours in order to remain in it. This was the motivation I needed to begin volunteering again.

On this day, July 27, 2015, I was definitely not in D.C. any more. No I was lying in a hospital in Paraguay with an IV in my arm. It was not my circumstance that had impacted me so enormously, but rather the realization of where I was and how very far I had come. A calling I finally could hear to work even harder to make this world that much better for people living in places that I may never meet but can never ignore is what I learned from seven weeks of living and volunteering in Paraguay, South America this summer. Funny, I spent my time in my community planning, organizing, and raising funds to build a covered bus stop with a bench so that people, my new friends and family, for years to come could sit and wait in relative comfort for the

I grew up in a home where volunteering was a fact of life. My dad was a member of

In my five years of active volunteer work with multiple non-profit organizations, I have seen firsthand the lack of attendance of my peers in times of great community need and support from its members. Although it has become more complicated to find time to give back to the community, with a full-time school and work schedule, there is always spare time to give back. The rapidly growing demand for volunteers in communities all across America is increasing and it is everyone’s duty, especially college students, to pay their dues to the

I have been volunteering before I was old enough to know I was volunteering. As the youngest of four, I happily came along whenever my parents and siblings volunteered. But, community service is not just something I was taught to do; it is something I love to do. Today, I serve others in ways that are closer to my own heart. Serving people and animals “who don’t have a voice” has been and always will be central to who I am. I spent this summer raising awareness and funds for foster children, and I am excited to use those funds this November to personally decorate and deliver new duffel bags with supplies to foster children in my area. Additionally, I have loved dedicating my time to a local animal rescue where I have participated in animal