Volunteer Voices

One of the best parts of my job at the Volunteer Center is getting the opportunity to work with kids in our schools. Across the county, kids are seriously looking for a way to make a difference; this is something, frankly, I find uplifting knowing firsthand how their schedules are jam-packed.

The Sunrise School Ambassadors, a group of 13 different third through fifth graders, meets each month with me to talk about volunteering and how they can give back to a community that supports them in so many ways. We discuss what type of project they could do in a two-hour span and what connects them to the proposed project. The discussion portion of our get-togethers is always interesting as we try to get 13 kids on the same page, but listening to what and why they think it’s important is always enlightening. The bottom line is they are so proud to be ambassadors of their school and they truly want to do something that makes a difference.

The Ambassador kids are not alone in their desire to help. Southern Door’s volunteerism class, under the direction of Pat Delcore, spends a semester devoted to volunteering in their school and community and then finishes the semester with a service project that they select. Many students serve as a Big Brother or Big Sister to the “littles” within their school while others choose to volunteer at other nonprofit organizations throughout the county. And I don’t think there’s a person that doesn’t know the amount of volunteer time and energy that the Southern Door 5th grade class puts into their fundraising and performance efforts for the annual Cerebral Palsy telethon. I’m certain that these efforts are creating the next generation of philanthropic leaders.

The students of Gibraltar, Sevastopol and Washington Island are no different in their desire to give back, either. Student service groups, fundraising projects for local nonprofits and volunteering after school are part of the norm for these ambitious students. They understand that by “doing good” they can actually find out about career options, polish their job readiness skills and challenge their comfort zones. They mentor, set up food drives, and coach youth sports, all in a desire to help. Keep in mind, all of this is done on top of the homework, practice schedules, performances and work commitments.

Door County, you have much to be proud of in the children that we’re raising. Because of their commitment to “doing something” now, they are far more likely to continue their volunteer efforts into their adult years and to their future communities. So when you see a child doing something good, thank them, encourage them and let them know that we appreciate their efforts. After all, a little good goes a long way.

For a complete listing of volunteer opportunities for children and adults in Door County, visit VolunteerDoorCounty.com or contact the Volunteer Center at 920.746.7704 to request a copy of the Volunteer Guide.