Involvement
in a community is the key to togetherness and understanding. Whether is it
fighting for a cause, raising donations, or helping someone in need – citizens of
all genders, ethnicities, races, and ages are brought together for the common
good. Volunteering your time and effort can truly make a difference in someone’s
life, as well as in your own. It makes you a better citizen, which others can
look up too; also it will make you feel as though you have personally made a
difference in the world. Whether what you contribute is big or small, each piece
correlates with another, and over time all the efforts which are made will add
up – completing the puzzle.
The
photos which have been selected above strongly represent what it means to be a
community. There are many ways in which one can become involved in their community.
Coming together to serve a greater purpose such as raising money for various organizations
is very common. Organizations such as the SPCA, medical research groups, the
YMCA, and Animal shelters all are dependent on donations of money and supplies
from the public in order to run a smooth operation. Candy strippers, sports team
coaches, church leaders, and volunteers all serve their personal time in order
to provide services to others in need. Also, Donating blood and organs helps to
save lives of individuals all over the world. Planting trees and cleaning up
parks is very beneficial to the environment and it also creates a space in the outdoors
that people can enjoy. In short, there are many options when it comes to
getting involved in your community to make it a better place.
So now
you may be asking yourself, “What can I do to help?” The answer to this question
is endless. You can call local organizations, hospitals, shelters, and food
banks to see if they need money or items donated, or if they need someone to
donate their time in order to help out. You can raise money or create a
fundraiser event in to gather money for a cause. Even lending a helping hand to
someone in need is a step in the right direction. If everyone just contributed
a little bit, then our communities could become a better place.
Regardless,
every effort helps.
I am part of a community service club on campus and just yesterday we went to the Buffalo City Mission's House for Women and Children. I spoke with one of the directors for a while about the programs they have and such. I agree with you. Community engagement is so important. It opens your eyes to struggles other people face everyday, struggles you yourself may be lucky enough to never experience. These women I helped yesterday were so grateful. You could tell that sometimes they just need a shoulder to lean on and it feels wonderful to be the person to impact their lives in such a positive way. I would encourage everyone to step back and help those who are not as fortunate as us. It could change their world.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with this as well because as a community the only way we can really progress is if we work together. No matter how much power someone has, they can always use the extra help because there is always room for improvement. I used to help out cleaning some neighborhoods in the city where its not as nice and planting flowers to make them more beautiful and it made a huge difference so i definitely believe that community activism is a big thing and i recommend that people get more involved from personal experience. It teaches you to look at things from a different perspective and to look at what you can do to help.
ReplyDeleteI agree, community involvement is the key to progress, as well as making a safe enjoyable atmosphere to raise a family. Also, helping out in the community is food to mind and soul, it makes you feel better about yourself because you truly are making a difference. I feel that these values should be instilled in youths, so the tradition carries on. I have volunteered at Roswell Park, at an Equestrian Center for the disabled, and at a shelter for battered and abused woman. The experience itself was self rewarding. I was able to view things from the perspective of those less fortunate. Many stereotypes are generally made regarding people with disabilities or those in poor situations, but I learned first hand that they aren't true. The individuals which I met were some of the kindest most caring people ever. They all had something to contribute to the world. The smiles on there faces made all the time and effort worth it.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with what you are saying. UB is such a huge campus, and if everyone this school alone took the time to contribute to community service, we could all make such a huge difference. It shouldn't be considered a "chore." Community service helps bring people together and it is actually really fun! I have been working with this charity called "Malaria No More" for over 4 years now, and I have had such an amazing time with it. I've raise well over $1000 for it. What I did was I got to go down to Nashville, TN to run in half marathons, for the past 3, and while I was there I met several people from all over the country who came together to raise money for specific causes. There where over $30,000 running in the marathon, all raising money for specific causes. There are about 20 people in my group for Malaria No More, and as a group, we've raised about $40,000 for this cause, and we had a blast doing it. But the greatest benefit of all is the difference we have made for the children in Africa who suffer from Malaria.
ReplyDelete-Alexis
I absolutely agree. Community service is not only good for the environment and our civilization but as well as our socialization. It's a great way to meet people, find connections to your outside interests, and volunteer's for other environmental activities to better our world. The world, and UB's campus is huge and with the amount of people we have in both places, there should be no reason for pollution, or an unsafe environment.
ReplyDeletei completely agree. Communities are supposed to come together to aid in causes, charities, sporting events, and debates. Being in a community does not just mean living and being in close proximity to eachother, but it means sticking together and coming up with new ways to improve the community as a whole.
ReplyDelete