How do you define what makes a good volunteer?
‘They are respectful of those they work with, dedicated, willing to push again under adverse circumstances, enthusiastic, empathic, energetic, focused, non-complaining, passionate about making a difference and always feels they are the ones who benefited from their actions. This is volunteerism as defined by our kids,? said Anita Demster, Clarkston Area Youth Assistance secretary.
‘A part of this volunteerism is the expectation that you do it without receiving praise, but tonight we’re making an exception.?
The words followed presentations for more than 100 youths from the Clarkston area on May 16. CAYA’s annual youth recognition awards took place at the Clarkston United Methodists Church. The evening was a chance for the organizations helped by young volunteers to show their appreciation.
Three students ? Adam Martinez from Sashabaw Middle School, Katie Vondette from Clarkston Junior High and Lama Alghanem from Clarkston High School, were named youths of the year and spoke to the crowd about what volunteering means to them and the significant role it plays in their lives.
‘Volunteering is to offer yourself, like a gift to others,? said Martinez before he spoke about his experiences working with SCAMP, the summer camp program for youths with disabilities.
‘We all know that famous camp in the Clarkston area,? said Demster. ‘Tonight we meet the youths who make this camp go.?
‘Volunteering is a way of life,? said Vondette. ‘Volunteering to me means putting a smile on someone’s face and making a difference in their life.? Vondette went on to explain how working with the Ronald McDonald House project teaching Sunday school made a difference in her life as well as those she was helping.
‘Volunteering has really made a difference in my life, and I hope it has made a difference in the lives of the people in our community,? Vondette said.
To illustrate how her volunteering experience has impacted her emotionally, Alghanem shared a story about helping in a hospital. Alghanem recalled playing her violin for a patient who died later that same day. Alghanem said that moment stays with her whenever she visits the hospital now, and reminds her that volunteering is about improving lives at any moment.
‘Making (people’s) lives more pleasurable up to their final moment,? Alghanem said, is one on the most important reasons to volunteer.
After these three students spoke, representatives from CAYA began presenting awards to individual student for their work, whether they were working in nursing homes or with groups like SCAMP, local churches or even their fellow student through after-school tutoring.
Local officials including school board members, judges and politicians congratulated each student individually when they came on stage.
‘We adults in this community are proud of you, extremely hopeful about the future that is in your capable hands and grateful to you that you are caring enough to serve,? Demster said. ‘To the parents, thank you for providing the nurturing environment that has allowed these kids to flourish,? Demster said.