Throughout high school, I made an effort to try my best to volunteer when I could. Between school, extracurricular activities, and applying to college, I wasn't able to get much volunteering in. Even though, as a college student, I am still busy with maintaining my grades and staying involved in my school's community, it is just as important to give back to my community when I can.

I decided to go out of my comfort zone and volunteer for America Recycles Day so that I could give back to the Monroe, Louisiana community. I was hesitant at first because I did not know anyone else volunteering, but this turned out to be a wonderful experience that I will forever remember! Ouachita Green put together this event, which allowed people from the Monroe, Louisiana area to bring in their recyclables, free of charge. Unfortunately, Louisiana is lacking in environmentally-friendly initiatives so recycling is not offered to most people in our community. In contrast, back home in New Jersey, it is required, by law, to recycle. This truth astonishs me, but more importantly, it encourages me to spark change.

I did not know what to expect before coming to this event. Would I feel useless? Would I feel out of place since I have never volunteered at an event like this before? All of my worries vanished when I saw the happy and enthusiastic faces of people so willing to make a positive impact on the Monroe community. This gives me hope for the future of Monroe and encourages me to tell others about the wonderful experience I had.

At the University of Louisiana at Monroe, we are in the process of making the Green Club (a club focused on creating a green attitude within the university and the greater Monroe area). While helping with the event, I met a group of ambitious students from one of the local Monroe high schools, West Ouachita High School, that truly cares about making a positive impact on the environment. While talking, we decided that collaborating as a team would benefit not only the organizations at our schools, but also the community as a whole. If we work together to gain momentum and let the community know we are serious, there is an even better chance that we will succeed and influence others to make a positive impact.

If you are at all hesitant to volunteer or help out with an event in your community, my recommendation is to go ahead and do it. Even if it may be out of your comfort zone or if you don't know anyone also participating, it is important to put yourself out there. At the end of the day, you miss all of the shots you don't take.