Sami Grimes
Teen Reporter

Standing at 5 feet 3 inches, 17-year-old Alyssa Smith is often confused for a young child. However, contrary to her small stature, Alyssa is widely regarded throughout the community as a young woman with a heart and spirit of giving that can rival many.

Volunteering comes second nature to Smith, and her dedication increases ten-fold when the holidays roll around. She is just one of a plethora of youth involved in service organizations, along with various community members, who volunteer their time during the busy holiday season.

The National Honor Society is a service organization established to recognize outstanding high school students based upon certain qualifications that potential members must meet to be accepted. Those qualifications being a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, a strong background in leadership, and so forth.

To maintain membership in this prestigious organization, each member has to complete a minimum of 25 group hours of service, and 25 individual hours as well.

The holiday season has plenty of opportunities for N.H.S. members to fulfill that particular portion of their commitment. In fact, one look at the service sign-up sheets is evidence enough to prove the N.H.S. is most active during the holiday months.

Tom Kling, who donates his time to Family Pathways in Wyoming, is another member of the N.H.S.

Commenting on his service to the organization and community, he said ìVolunteering is a selfless act that allows me to give back to the community and help others.î

Jennifer Lattin, a senior also involved with N.H.S., agrees finding service hours is quite easy to get during this season as well. Her favorite opportunity to take advantage of is bell ringing.

ìBell ringing is one thing that I like doing. It gives me this warm, fuzzy feeling, and itís nice to help out the community!î she said enthusiastically. Bell ringing in cooperation with the Salvation Army is a popular choice for members to do. It is also a popular choice for adults to take part in.

For instance, the Linwood Fire Department could be seen ringing bells in the cold outside of Cub Foods Saturday, December 11. Their cheerful and warm smiles were obviously working well, since many of the public were walking up to graciously add their donation in.

Other adults in the community could be spotted at other stores, ringing their bells while their breath froze instantly as it hit the air. The cold temperatures do not seem to be hindering anyone from showing up to their ringing posts.

Whether itís adults doing the bell ringing, or youth, the Salvation Army is sure to be grateful for their service.

Smith has already rung the bells this season, and comments that it is ìcold, but of course fun and rewarding.î

Smith, a member of the National Honor Society, as well as a volunteer on the nursing floor of Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center, also volunteers at Northwoods Humane Society.

ìPeople laugh, but with all the craziness of the holiday season, the animals still need to be walked and played with to keep them content until they find a good home,î she said.

Even youth not involved in N.H.S. find time in their schedules for volunteering in the area.

Lauren Cloutier, a sophomore at Forest Lake High School, volunteers regularly throughout the year.

During the holidays, Lauren is more involved with volunteering than usual.

Maranatha Assembly of God Church, where Lauren attends services, is where she volunteers the majority of her time. ìI think it is important to help out others and make the holidays more merry for everyone,î she said.

Despite the overall good feeling many volunteers say they feel, another benefit of donating time to an organization is meeting new people.

Cloutier regards this as the best reward. ìI love meeting new people. Itís nice, because the people you meet are there for the same reason you are, to give something back.î

Rachael Ladd, 17, agrees. A volunteer at various soup kitchens in the metro area, Ladd said she enjoys conversing with different people; volunteers and those benefitting from her services alike.

When asked why she volunteers during this season in particular, she came up with a very interesting response.

ìI feel that over the years, Christmas has become far too commercialized. Volunteering is my way of getting back in touch with the real meaning of this holiday, and it gives me a way to reciprocate the blessings that I have been granted. I definitely appreciate what I have when I see what others do not.î

Two of Forest Lake High Schoolís talented wrestling team are also sharing their skills to better the community through volunteer work this holiday season.

Jeremy Peltier, 16, and Chelynne Pringle, 18, coach youth from the immediate area. They are preparing them for the ìChristmas Tournament for City Youth,î which includes competitors from the entire state of Minnesota. Scheduled for December 18 in Rochester, Peltier and Pringleís efforts will be seen on the mat as their students show off the skills they have learned.

ìWe coach because it gives us a chance to share our talents with other youth. I feel like I have something to offer, and it makes me feel like I am making a difference,î Pringle said.

ìI do it because I like to give a little something back to the community,î Peltier added after listening intently to his coaching partner.

By now, the statement, ìgive something back to the communityî may seem like a cliche. However, it is the simplest way to define why most people volunteer.

The Forest Lake area is quite lucky to have such wonderful citizens living within it, and it is a great sight to see so many sharing their talents and time for a better cause during this season.

After the snowflakes and banners are removed from city streets, and the holiday atmosphere fades, the wave of volunteering will likely slow as a result of the appearance that the need has declined in the eyes of the community.

Yet, for now, the need for volunteers is still at a high.

Individuals who wish to volunteer their time, the Salvation Army needs help. The organization has set a goal of 7 million dollars to be raised by Christmas. To date, they have raised $2.1 million.

According to its Northern Division website, www.thesalarmy.com, Christmas volunteers ring bells, wrap gifts, visit homebound individuals, work at the Toy Shop, serve meals and help organize and assist in other Salvation Army Christmas activities. Contact the Salvation Army at (651) 746-3400 for information on helping out.

Individuals who wish to volunteer with another organization, but are not sure which one to affiliate, try this website: www.volunteertwincities.org/volunteer/holiday. The site lists numerous opportunities to consider in the metropolitan area.

Local churches also may be a resource in finding volunteer opportunities.

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
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