Hello everyone, I am Kate Hassemer!  As we all have our own personal role in the community, one of the most life changing roles is volunteering; whether you pick up garbage on the side of the road to fundraising for charities to volunteering at animal shelters and so much more.  You may think that volunteering may not have much impact on a community, however, any amount of volunteering in a community can impact both yourself and others in a positive way.  It is showing that you care about your community/environment, that you are a true citizen and that you are making a difference in the world that actually matters.  If you are someone who wants to be that type of person, then volunteering at events or places near you is your next step.

If you don’t know where to start volunteering, some great places to consider are Feed My Starving Children or an animal shelter near you, especially Save-a-Pet in Grayslake.  Both are fun and easy to do and the time will go by so fast because of the activities that you will be doing.  It’s also a great way to meet new people! If you are the type of person who does not want to go out to a certain place and do something, then fundraising for a cause that matters a lot to you, such as cancer, education, or the environment are just a few good choices.  There are many different options for you to put into play for raising money.  For example, I turned a hobby of mine, which is jewelry making, into a party to sell my handmade jewelry for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and through the sales of my jewelry, I was able to raise $1,000 for that charity.  If you don’t want to use a hobby of yours, there is always a bake sale, car washes, auctions, garage sales and so much more to do.  Also, if the school you go to has organizations that deal with volunteering, take advantage and get involved with after school activities that will benefit the community. For instance, Warren and many other high schools have FBLA, which stands for Future Business Leaders of America. There are many volunteer opportunities for you to do within FBLA.  In addition, there is also NHS (National Honor Society), which is a volunteer-based organization.  These organizations can help connect you with a specific volunteer opportunity that is appealing and meaningful to you. There are always different volunteer options for you to chose from that will fit your interests the best. So go search for that personal role in your community and help change the world!