My mother is the main reason I am who I am. She raised me well, and I can remember the lessons she taught me since I was a toddler: no lying on the kitchen table (as tempting as that is), always shake people’s hand when you meet for the first time and millions more. But one of the most important things she taught me was to help others. She teaches by example: she is a volunteer at a transitional housing system in Detroit three days a week. The men and women there are recovering alcoholics and drug abusers, and they often have children.
When I can I go down to work with her. I assist her with simple tasks like checking people in, making sandwiches, reading books to the children and moving boxes around.
One experience I remember was when I went down during the winter a few years ago and helped convince the drop-ins to get flu shots. I informed them of the possible risks and benefits of flu shots, while my mom actually poked them (don’t worry, she’s a doctor).
This one woman asked me who I was and why I was there. I responded, “Because I want to help you.” And she thought that was the most absurd reason. She couldn’t grasp why anyone would want to help her. I looked at her and with a stern face, told her that I cared, and then I wanted to make a difference.
Where do you do volunteer work? How will you make a difference? If you don’t, why not?
-Daniel D.
Grosse Pointe South High School
