In 2010, I found Volunteer Broward though Disney’s Give a Day, Get a Day campaign. Disney was asking the public to volunteer one day and in return you would get a free entrance to one of their parks. I went on their web page and found links to local ways to volunteer. Too easy to pass, I made my whole family do it. Through Volunteer Broward I found Cross Road Food Bank. My sister and I collected non-perishable items from our neighbors, my parents made the drop off and a few days later we each had a free pass to any Disney park. How easy was that!
Later I started a new school that encouraged every student to volunteer. I didn’t mind volunteering but I didn’t know how or where. When I called random non-profit locations, it never seemed to work out. I was too young, the days/times didn’t work for me, or the task they were asking me to do didn’t interest me. Right about when I was going to give up on volunteering until I got into high school, I remembered Volunteer Broward. I logged on to Volunteer Broward and, as they say, the rest is history. I have been able to pick days and times that work for me, things that interest me and projects that allow kids that are 13. Even my 10 year-old sister has been able to find projects.
Since starting to volunteer it has been a win-win. I am helping others, animals and the environment while having such fun and meeting new people. Working the Feeding Program at First Congregational gave me the chance to feed and talk to homeless people. Who knew they were so nice and full of stories? I have gotten to do cool things like working in an airplane hanger for Challenge Air’s Ft Lauderdale Fly Day, learned how to use a pottery wheel volunteering for Young at Art and even worked the Orange Bowl. Since I like computers so much, I have my sights on Comcast’s Digital Connectors Program next. Can’t wait!
All it takes is one time. Try just one project and I promise you will be hooked.
By Jonathan Howard
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