VOLUNTEERING has always been a source of pride. Students at Granger have been putting in their hours and getting ready for the holidays with new activities and experiences coming along with them. Helping during holidays can really make such an impactful difference in the community, especially during cooperative events.
“Even if it is just to beautify Granger, doing cleanups, it’s meaningful, and it gives you a sense of pride in keeping the place you come to study clean and organized,” Mrs. Candía, one of the supervisors for Volunteer for Good, said. The program offers many opportunities and achievement certificates if the 25-hour service requirement is met. “If you’re a ninth grader, get to 100 hours before you graduate. That will earn you four different certificates that could be tied to scholarships,” Candia said. Many service scholarships are out there.
The members have multiple opportunities available. “It really depends on what you’re signing up for — I know I did a special needs homecoming, helping them set up for their dance in the black box,” Adrian Belloso (11) said. Special events and specific projects give the participants hours they can log.” Belloso said. “I love helping the community and getting in those hours; it helps me build character,” he said. One of the biggest rewards of helping out is feeling involved and proud in the community, which is one of the reasons Belloso loves being part of the organization.
“This week we went to play bingo with the elderly, and it was fun. That is one thing we have been doing recently.” Jaidy Valadez (11) said. The member’s hours are full of so many different opportunities and multiple activities. However, they have their days of working and going out, and they also have their fun times, like playing games with others. “I would really recommend it to just anyone. Everyone should do it,” Valadez said.
With the holidays approaching as quickly as ever, Volunteer for Good students are taking on many new projects, including Halloween and Thanksgiving. “We have done a lot of things for the special ed department specifically. We went trick-or-treating with them for Halloween. For Thanksgiving, we are talking to companies about fundraising food for the families.” Yamil Gonzalez (12) said. The small things can always be bigger in the end. Making Thanksgiving meals and just playing simple games can really brighten the mood for everyone and everything.
Another activity the Lancer Action team is working on is their Sub for Santa donation. The fundraiser runs from November 11 to 21 to raise money for families in need for Christmas. The activities and projects are done in groups by the members. When they get together, they ask larger companies for donations. “It’s great to help people; it makes you feel good. It’s really, really rewarding – I would recommend it to any sophomores interested in doing it for their junior and senior year,” Leslie Popoca (12) said. Join the Lancer Action Team and log those hours today.
