I grew up in a family where my mom was PTO president, room mom and the parent’s club chair. She volunteered for nearly everything she could, whether or not she was qualified.
My dad was coach of the football and baseball teams. Every Sunday my dad would pull out his wallet and pass money out to all four of his kids to put in the basket at church.
They have instilled wonderful values within my siblings, but the most important one they gave us was the significance of volunteering and giving back.
They gave my siblings and I so much, and rarely asked for anything in return.
One of the very few things they asked from us was respect. This meant for them, for our siblings, for our friends and for our life. They were the parents that reprimanded their children for calling each other names or talking badly about someone who treated them "unfairly."
They are the reason I enjoy giving back.
I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to give back. In high school, I was involved in many organizations that required me to have a certain amount of service hours.
Now, in college, I am in a sorority holds me accountable for continuing to give back and volunteer. I am very thankful to be a part of great organizations that allow me to uphold my value of service. In the end, I know that giving back is intended to impact others, but I believe the biggest person it impacts is you.
For six years being involved with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, I can truthfully say that it has done more for me than I have done for it.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is an organization that is dedicated to raising money and awareness of childhood cancer causes, primarily for research for new treatments and cures. They are fighting childhood cancer, one cup at a time. When I first started volunteering, I just thought of it as a couple hours of my time, but really it is so much more.
Every time I volunteer for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, I am raising money that will one day save a child’s life.
By doing this, I am giving a family a chance to watch their child grow up and make memories with them. I am giving the child an opportunity to experience all the good that I have in this world. I am also raising awareness so more people can be involved to band together to fight childhood cancer.
I have learned giving back brings a level of happiness that is unimaginable. It is the greatest feeling to know that you have helped in some way. Sometimes it can be hard when you don’t get to see the direct effect of your money or time, but deep down inside you know every minute is worth it.
Every time I volunteer I am surrounded by amazing people who are all in it for the same purpose I am. I am reminded constantly of how awesome and sweet it is that I am volunteering my time, but honestly I never though twice about it. I just wanted to make a difference in someone else’s life other than my own. I wanted to do what my parents did for me, but for another child’s life.
Giving back brings the opportunity to help others and yourself. It has shown me how to be good to people. It has made me live by the rule treat others how you would like to be treated, because in the end no one deserves less.
