Just when it looks like this year could not possibly get any worse, somehow, it finds a way. The killer bees, fires in Australia, a pandemic that looks as if it came straight from a dystopian novel, and riots tearing apart the country have been landmarks that no one will want to remember decades from now. Though it might seem like the effects of the pandemic, such as unemployment and lack of materials for students in remote learning, cannot be helped, for those interested in lending a helping hand, read on to learn how to volunteer during a pandemic.
DoSomething.org, an excellent website for locating simple ways to volunteer, has partnered with the National Honors Society at AFHS to give students an opportunity to help out those that have been affected by the current pandemic. The website includes over 300 different volunteer activities for students to choose from. Some students may enjoy taking a short quiz or making a card, while others might prefer donating materials or cleaning up the streets. For students looking to make a real difference during such a trying time, they can spend time collecting food or books from friends and neighbors to donate. Food and book drives have become increasingly important, now more than ever before.
To find even more ways of volunteering, check out nc.gov. This website has dozens of different ways that teens can help out, even if they can’t leave their homes. Creating care packages, writing letters to seniors, and online tutoring can end up helping quite a lot of people and doesn’t require any physical interaction. This way, teens can stay safe while also making an impact. According to nc.gov, “The COVID-19 pandemic has affected North Carolinians in unprecedented ways, but there are ways we can help our communities, neighbors and local organizations.”
For more opinionated teens who prefer hands-on volunteering, working as a poll worker for the 2020 election may be the ideal opportunity to experience the world of politics at a young age. The younger generation has always been encouraged to engage in the political affairs that run the country, especially after the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law allowing high school students to work in the polls on election day. According to carolinapublicpress.org, “Brunswick County plans to pay its Election Day workers $200, plus paid training. Base pay for poll workers is minimum wage, at $7.25 per hour.” Unfortunately, if not enough volunteers get involved to help with polling, this could cause polling places to shut down. Sign up to work the polls by going on the NCSBE website or contacting the county board of elections to get involved in the democratic process and be a part of such an important occasion, especially for the year 2020.
With the apparent hopelessness that fills the country, and the world, some teenagers may feel helpless, as if they cannot make a difference. However, a little does go a long way, so just writing a card to a nursing home resident who cannot see their family or helping to tutor someone who may be struggling with online learning does make a difference. It may not impact the rest of the world, but if one small act of kindness can make someone smile and feel better about their current situation, that shows how important volunteering can be to the lives of those in need.
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