Middle School Volunteering

According to Statistics Canada, over 13.3 million Canadians spent 2.07 billion hours volunteering in the year of 2010 (statcan.gc.ca). However, none of these volunteers were aged between 10-13 years old (statcan.gc.ca). That is the age of middle school students! The many Canadian citizens who take gifts of the world for granted, and never give back for what has been given. Making volunteer hours mandatory in middle school would make great differences in students’ lives. Other than the fact that it prepares the students for high school, it has many merits that builds many students’ characteristics. It develops students’ skills and applies those in volunteering opportunities. Volunteering also connects the students to the community and others,
Students will get recognition, positive feedback and a sense of achievement at how much difference they have made in their community and in the lives of the many who live in the community. For instance, a student may realize his or her neighbourhood has been littered with trash and garbage that has not been properly thrown away over the months. This particular student might sign up for a community clean up, or even start a clean-up with his or her friends. After the community has been thoroughly cleaned, the student would feel a sense of achievement at what has been done. For instance, his or her community is clean, so his or her goal has been achieved. It will make the student feel good about what he or she has done. The student will also be recognized and receive positive feedback. It will make the student feel good about what has been done, and will make this volunteer want to do more. Also, the student will be able to see the difference made by volunteering. He or she will see the impact on putting volunteer hours into the student’s life. The student will see the positive influence it has in the community, and in the many lives who live in the community. Through volunteering, it will also kindle happiness in a student’s life at what has been accomplished had through volunteering and helping the community. Happiness is rarely seen in a student’s life, either through too much work, pressure or stress (pbskids.org). Volunteering will make them feel happier in life, and feel less of a burden in their heart. According to Statistics Canada, 52% of Canadians volunteered to improve their sense of well being and make a difference (statcan.gc.ca). Overall, students will also be making a difference and feeling happier about the