Two teenagers offered to do some voluntary work during the school holidays. They wrote the following reports.

There are many children without parents. I met some (A)_______these children with my mother. We taught them to tell stories. This helps them express their feelings. One child said, “My friends don’t understand my pain.”

We spent time with a girl called Vivien. Her parents died in a car accident and (B)她不开心 and very lonely. She needs friendship. My mother and I will continue to (C)go to see Vivien.

Mark

I wanted to help disabled children. (D)They have difficulty walking or moving. I taught them to sing (E)________ music can bring them joy and peace.

I met a boy called Tim. He hurt his legs in an accident, but he has (F)lots of courage. We need to help children like Tim and raise their spirits. I will continue to do voluntary work in the future.

Annie

My children are growing up fast. My daughter is 16 and my boy is already in junior high school. As they get bigger, our house seems to get smaller. So we want to sell some of our things in a yard sale and give the money to a children’s home.

We have already cleared out a lot of things from our bedrooms. We have decided to each sell five things that we no longer use. My son was quite sad at first. Although he has not played with his old toys for a long time, he still wanted to keep them. For example, he has owned a train and railway set since his fourth birthday, and he played with it almost every week until he was about seven. And he did not want to lose his toy monkey, either. He slept next to the monkey every night when he was a child. My daughter was more understanding, although she also felt sad to part with certain toys.

As for me, I did not want to give up my football shirts, but, to be honest, I have not played for a while now. I am getting older, too!

When it comes to volunteering, you should realize that it means much more than just being satisfied to work for an organization. The meaning should be getting the most out of your work as a volunteer.

Getting social experiences

Working as volunteers makes students enter the society and experience new things and different environments and situations. In this way, they can get many social skills that couldn’t be learned in a classroom.

Giving back and helping others

Volunteers make people’s life brighter. Jill, a middle school student, has been playing the piano for old people in her community for more than three years. The music lights up their life and they always look forward to her concerts.

Creating relations with people

Building relationships with people is necessary. Volunteering allows you to meet people from all walks of life. By working as volunteers, you learn from those people you are helping. The qualities you’ve learned will help you in your future job.

Developing a sense of achievement

Working as volunteers means a lot to people who volunteer and can always cheer them up. It’s taking some time out of a day and doing something for others. Volunteering makes people feel good. What’s more, it builds self-confidence and lifts their spirits.

Take action to volunteer, and you are sure to get more than you expect.