With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching quickly, gratefulness is a topic that tends to creep into our minds. Yet, community service is rarely something given a second thought when considering how grateful one is for their community.
Jennifer Martin, a Salem High School guidance counselor, spoke about the importance of community service and upcoming opportunities where students can get involved.
“It (community service) helps people take pride in their community if they can do something to make it better,” said Martin.
She explained that helping the community, helping others and getting to know them, is important especially when it comes to college. Some scholarships and applications have a component of, or require, community service involvement.
“Try and squeeze in a few hours when possible. Help out at your church service. Volunteer in the summer when you might have more free time,” said Martin.
Organizations often contact schools with opportunities. These include: Old Settlers’ Days service, bell ringing for the Salvation Army and raising money that stays within the community. Volunteering at organizations also counts as community service. Places that will consider volunteers include: the YMCA, nursing homes, the food bank and the women’s shelter.
“Often volunteering can be something simple like babysitting or tutoring someone,” said Martin.
National Honors Society sponsor Nicole Purlee explained how important community service is to NHS and its members.
“If we want our community to be a part of our lives, it is also important to contribute to it in a positive, meaningful way,” she said.“Service is one of the four pillars for National Honors Society. Each of our members completes individual service hours and we, as an organization, complete hours.”
Community service opportunities through NHS include the Happily Ever After reading program, fundraising dinners, collecting monthly donations and other group projects.
Martin explained the importance of keeping a record of community service hours. Students can write it down or store it in a file on their phone. Listed in the record should be the date(s), hours completed, activity and name of the supervisor.
“To be counted as community service, you cannot receive pay for what you do. Basically, anything you do to help others or the community would be counted as community service,” said Martin.
Kirsten Sexton, a senior at SHS, volunteered to aid in building a dog park for the community.
“I like animals and I wanted them to have a place to go,” she said.“I felt accomplished to be a part of the project.”