Volunteering is a part of many teens’ lives, whether it’s to fulfill club requirements or just because they want to make a difference. Because of the diversity in choices, community service is suitable for everyone.

“Students should volunteer because it gives them a sense of purpose and a feeling of satisfaction. They should also volunteer because it earns them respect from their fellow peers, their teachers and many others,” said Ms. Unklesbay, advisor for Beta club.

The different options of volunteering are endless; it can range from tutoring kids at your school to help feeding the hungry. Helping people in need is a great way to meet new people with similar interests. You can also invite your friends along and help the needy as a group, an easy way to hang out and give back.

“Just getting together with my friends and  it’s nice to make a difference but being together and doing it as a team is the most important thing,” said Tyler Goldberger, senior class president.

Community service also helps you improve on certain qualities.

“Some qualities they gain are being accountable, learning to respect others and getting respect in return and feeling rewarded for volunteering their time,” said Unklesbay.

Though, to really get the most out of your time there are some traits that have to be preexisting.

“The traits that students need to do community service are generosity, determination and responsibility. Generosity because you are donating time and energy to a cause. Determination to complete the task at hand and not give up. Responsibility because others are counting on you to show up and you do not want to let them down,” said Unklesbay.

One of the biggest challenges is finding where to volunteer and if it’ll suit you. Below is list of interests paired with their ideal locations to give back.

• If you are an animal lover:

The best opportunity to get to interact with animals, while still volunteering your time, would be an animal shelter. A major shelter is the SPCA, though Petsmart also has a shelter to volunteer in. Another option is the Wake County Animal Center. At these various locations you’ll get a chance to play with animals, bathe them, clean their shelters, and feed them.

• If you enjoy caring for children:

You could volunteer at a day care center or a kids’ sports team. Many religious buildings in the area also allow their members to help in the day care centers. During these jobs you’ll get to play with kids, teach them, and help them progress.

• If you enjoy interacting with people:

There are many options for these fields, like soup kitchens, food banks, homeless shelters, and retirement homes. In these jobs you get to see the difference you make, firsthand.

As for soup kitchens and food banks you’d get to organize and distribute food to those in need. Some locations in the area are the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen.

At a homeless shelter you’d get a bit more diverse work, you’d be asked to give out clothes, meals, and also have the possibility of providing entertainment for younger people staying there. There are many options in Raleigh to help the homeless, for example the Raleigh Rescue Mission and Women’s Center of Wake County.

While volunteering at a retirement home you’d usually be requested to provide entertainment for the elderly living there, for example; reading, singing, walking the grounds, playing board games, or simply having a conversation. Depending on the rules where you volunteer you may be asked to help with housekeeping also. There are many options in Wake County, you could go through an organization like The Center for Volunteer Caregiving or go to your local nursing home and ask if they have any positions open.

• If you enjoy teaching:

Different people have different skills in the various areas of teaching. If you are good at math, science, English, or history, tutoring is a good option. You may be able to go through your teachers or local tutoring centers to get started. Various different religious places have people volunteer to teach the younger kids the skills and information they need to fully understand their belief system and culture.