Lending a Helping Hand by Tate

Lending a Helping Hand by Tate - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

When the topic of volunteering comes up people sometimes turn heads and look away from the benefits that just a few hours of volunteering can do. Each place that a volunteer or volunteers are needed can all serve a different purpose. Through the volunteer hours that I've done at the Rose Theater in downtown Omaha, Nebraska has taught me many things; some being learning new skills, being more of a part in my community and in my opinion the most important, meeting and being friends with all kinds of people especially children. Through that summer long volunteer experience it made me realize I want to continue to work with all different kinds of people throughout my community which lead me to working for the City of Omaha. As a young City of Omaha employee I was given the job title as a Recreational Programmer. With that job title I am entitled to organizing, planning and implementing recreation programs for people of all ages. I'm one of the lucky ones and get to work with kids everyday at work. But to me it really Isn't work it's just like my volunteering at the Rose Theater. I'm at both places to help kids, help adults and help elderly weather its just helping them find their seat at the theater or helping someone find an activity to get them or their kid(s) involved with during the year through the cities activities. But that's not the best part of either one. The best part for me is seeing their smiles no matter what age they are when they settled with whatever I assisted them with. Knowing I did something right makes me know I'm making a difference even it is as little as just helping someone find their seat. For me it's the little things that matter. The misconception about volunteering I see and hear about a lot is that it's mostly work with the police, fire department, humane society, or a homeless shelter. Which is true they do need help but there are other things that involve volunteer work that your personality and interests may work along side the volunteering job such as art museums, retirement homes, a local library, a national park and so much more. To wrap this up Volunteering doesn’t take any special skills or extensive experience – and there’s never a shortage of organizations looking for help. Once you begin your volunteer position, don’t hesitate to offer help outside of your assigned job. When I started at a theater I saw a passion of mine to help people of all different kinds, Now as a 17 year old I have the job to help out my whole cities community. Our society would not be as strong as it is without folks willing to help those in need. Get started and volunteer today.