How my life changed due to volunteering and the reach for smiles.
by, Andrew Briss
Most high school teenagers these days have the latest trends on their minds like new music, “fresh” Nikes, and Paris Hilton’s new “B.F.F.” But for most, the last thing on their minds is, “What can I do to make this community better; not only for me but for a specific group or person?” Volunteering would be the answer to that question, except that we as high school students have “more important” things on our minds. Granted, with applying to colleges, studying for exams, and concentrating on sports, we really don’t think about anyone but ourselves. Realistically, that is a typical teenager.
I am one of those teenagers and I understand where they are coming from, but I consider myself privileged to have had some opportunities to volunteer on a frequent basis. Volunteering is a part of my life and I was brought up to think that volunteering is important no matter how much or how little you have to give.
From starting out volunteering when I was a little boy delivering Meals On Wheels on Thanksgiving, to my current annual Family Tree project that has provided a broad range of services and shelter to families and youth of metro Denver to overcome child abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness, volunteering has always been a way of life for me.
Joining Temple Sinai’s youth group’s board two years ago helped mold me into who I am today. It provided me with new paths to explore, like leadership, creativity, and giving to and caring for others. The role of leadership took flight when I ran for and was elected to the position of Special Projects Coordinator (SPC), whose main responsibility is to organize an annual Bowl-a-Thon that raises money for Camp Rainbow, a foundation located in St. Louis, Missouri, that is a week-long camp for kids ages four – thirteen who have cancer and blood related diseases. I had the privilege of being accepted as a counselor at Camp Rainbow in the summers of 2007 and 2008.
I went to the camp nervous and inexperienced about cancer related issues and terms, but I went in holding my head up high, my heart and mind open, and determined to make a difference in someone’s life.
During my first year as a counselor, I was teamed up with two boys, both complete opposites from the other. The first boy I met was Daniel C., age 11, from Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. Reading his bio he seemed like every other 11 year old: he liked baseball and loved to be outdoors, yet one of his deficiencies was that his sight was impaired (he was completely blind in his left eye and 25% blind in his right eye).
The other boy was 11-year-old Jacob G., who, when we first met, I knew I would have a strong connection with. Jacob arrived at camp on chemotherapy, and was hairless from head to toe. Since Jacob was on chemo he wasn’t the most active kid at camp; usually he would tire easily and sit on the side and watch as the kids played sports or other activities. However, this gave us a chance to sit and talk, and get to know each other a little more. I found out that Jacob was diagnosed with cancer that year and he had tumors in his left arm. Jacob had surgery a week before camp and never complained about pain or being tired or not wanting to do a planned activity. Throughout that week I saw a change, not only in the attitude of Jacob but in my own attitude, as well.
Seeing Jacob take on any challenge and overcome it made me look at life with a whole new perspective. Returning to camp the following year, I was excited to reunite with Jacob after a yearlong absence. However, a week before camp started I got a call from the camp’s co-founder and director telling me that Jacob was very ill and that his cancer had returned. Attending camp with Jacob on my mind was insanely difficult, and further was complicated by having a new camper age 12 whose name was also Jacob.
That week I got to visit Jacob at his house and speak with his family about his condition. His father delivered the devastating news, “Jacob is not going to live for much longer.” The words sent an indescribable pain into my chest. Leaving the house knowing that Jacob was going to pass away was the worst feeling I have ever felt. One week after camp ended I went to Israel with 48 other Jewish teenagers for six weeks. Three weeks into the trip my mother called and told me that Jacob had passed away. Feelings of compassion, love, and sadness rushed through my body with surging force.
My experiences and memories of Jacob have made me who I am today…a caring, loving, compassionate young man who can help change a person’s life in only a week. And I repeat that I am no different than the average teenager…no different than you. Volunteering has given me the opportunity to travel, make life-long friendships, and meet unbelievable people whose stories inspire my own life forever. You can share wonderful experiences with the world by just taking the initiative to volunteer. For volunteering opportunities in your local area, visit www.voa.com or contact your school counselor for further information.
