Volunteering: High Fives All Around

I’m a runner. I’ve been one since the spring of my 8th grade year when against all odds I made my junior high’s track team. You had to try out for everything and despite numerous prior attempts I hadn’t really made any of the teams until then. I wasn’t a superstar, in fact I didn’t even get to race in the conference meet, but being a part of that team, pushing myself to be a better runner, gave me the confidence to go out for cross country when my I started high school. My dad says after that track season, I never looked back.

Running has given a lot to me over the years: fitness, friends, self-confidence, stress release, and recently I decided I wanted to get more involved in giving back. I started this morning by volunteering at Chicago Run’s 2nd Annual 1-Mile Fun Run. Chicago Run is a non-profit that facilitates running programs in Chicago Public Schools. In only their second year, approximately 4,000 students from over 20 schools came out to celebrate the end of this year’s running season with a final race.

I was on the Greeter / Course Marshall team, so I made posters, directed cars to the parking area, cheered, handed out stickers and picked up trash. But mostly I supported and encouraged the active and healthy habits these kids were learning. In return I got a lot of high-fives, smiles, thanks you’s and even a hug. I felt great.

It's one of the great ironies of life that volunteering gives so much back to the volunteer. That warm and fuzzy feeling alone is cause to volunteer for something you believe in, but I think there are bigger issues at stake. It's only when people get involved in their communities and causes that they believe in, volunteering their time, money, etc., that we build the kind of society we should be. The kind of society that I think everyone wants to be a part of; a team that supports everyone’s growth and where everyone has a hand in getting things done.

I’m not saying you should move to Micronesia to teach children to read, but its pretty easy to find a program that matches your own interest or hobbies and get involved. You may get a tax deduction, but more importantly you’ll be one of those good role models everyone needs and influence lives in a positive way. Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?

As for me, I’m planning to become more involved in youth running programs. Running won’t solve the world’s problems but I do think it’s a building block for self-esteem, reaching goals and becoming a better person. Being a runner could be just the boost these kids need, and I contributed to that, all by picking up a smashed banana peel. Now that deserves a high five.