Goodrich – In any given week, you can find Brian Schultz filling bird feeders at Genesys Hospice Care Center in Goodrich.
Although he pays little attention to his volunteer hours, Brian is one of the citizens applauded in Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s initiative to put the “merit” in Michigan Merit Award Scholarships, college money traditionally awarded for high performance on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test.
“Each year, we award some 50,000 Merit Scholarships to those who demonstrate ability on our MEAP test,” said Granholm in her recent State of the State address.
Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, in order to collect the $2,500 scholarship, Michigan Merit recipients will be required to perform 40 hours of community service prior to high school graduation, said Granholm.
Brian, a junior at Goodrich High School, trained to become a hospice volunteer through Goodrich High School.
“The hospice environment is awesome,” says Brian. “I figure I’m going to try to make it as nice for them as I can.”
In addition to his volunteer hospice fund-raising activities like car and craft shows, Brian volunteers as an assistant coach for the Goodrich sixth grade youth basketball team.
“I was asked to do it by a friend of the family and I just said, ‘Oh yeah, I’d love to do it’. It’s a chance to play basketball and help the kids,” Brian said with enthusiasm.
Logging service hours shouldn’t be a problem in Goodrich, says counselor Bob Foreback, where students are already required to complete 120 community service hours to earn honor cords.
Ed Bretzloff , has been volunteering since he was a freshman. The school’s counseling office has compiled an impressive list of volunteer actions by the Goodrich High School senior, who’s done everything from cooking up lasagne at Flint’s North End Soup Kitchen to helping Goodrich Middle School quiz kids, to ushering at his church, St. Mark the Evangelist in Goodrich.
“I’d say it’s helpful,” says Ed. “It makes the community better, kind of brings people together.”
“It definitely teaches how to reach out to other people,” said Sister Joan May of St. Mark’s. “People are more conscious of other people and their needs. That’s important.”
Should all high school students have to volunteer?
“I don’t think they should require it but I think they should encourage it,” said Brian. “I understand that some people are busy.”
Foreback takes pride in students who volunteer their time, but questions whether rewards for charitable service may distract from its intrinsic, or built-in, meaning.
“I think it depends on each individual person,” said Sister Joan. “Some respond and it will be wonderful for them.”
She sees Granholm’s initiative as a plus, even for those volunteering solely for credit. “She’s making them to be aware. Hopefully they’ll move forward and reach out and help people-that’s the goal. It teaches responsibility and caring for other people, and awareness that we’re not isolated people.”
Brian would volunteer even if he didn’t get credit.
“I enjoy what I do so I don’t need to get anything for it,” he said.
Ed agrees.
“It was hard work but I got enjoyment out of it,” he said.
Both plan to continue volunteering, on some level, after they’re out of school.
Want to volunteer but don’t know where to start? Ask at your school’s counseling office, church, or talk to friends. The National Honor Society also offers opportunities.
You’re more likely to stick with it if you choose opportunities that suit your personality.
“Volunteering can help you meet new people or possibly if you’re uncomfortable with volunteering, volunteer with friends or people you know,” says Ed. “If you don’t like something, go to something you’re more comfortable with, kind of try everything once.”
If Merit Scholars each volunteer 40 hours of service, two million collective service hours will be contributed in Michigan, says Granholm.
It’s a concept Brian’s on board with.
“You can’t pay everybody to do everything, and some of it’s just fun,” he said.