Volunteers make an effort to share the wealth

Volunteering is not only beneficial to others but also to those who volunteer. Through integrating morals with volunteering, individuals are able to improve themselves and grow as people.

Junior Maggy Liu, for example, is the vice-president of the Tzu Chi club, a volunteer organization and charity, which has been gaining traction on campus. Tzu Chi, Chinese for compassion and relief, is rooted in moral education as well as volunteering. These ideals are discussed during meetings and carried out through community service.

“[Tzu Chi] is based on Buddhist philosophy, but the club is all-inclusive and [membership is not limited to those who are Buddhist]. The philosophy of being truly selfless while doing service is a big thing,” Liu said.

Tzu Chi does community outreach events once a month. Members of the club have volunteered at the Computer Literacy Program (CLP), where volunteers help teach autistic kids how to read, and the Winchester nursing home in the past.

The club, in conjunction with Liu’s church, also ran a fundraiser called 30-hour Famine for malnutrition in Africa where participants fast for 30 hours to raise awareness.

“[30-hour Famine] was really fun because we learned a lot about all the programs going on to help malnutrition in Africa and the technology going into it to develop food that’s nutritious,” Liu said.

Not only is volunteer work beneficial to others, but it can also be incredibly gratifying.

“Just knowing that you did something that could help someone else [is gratifying]. With Tzu Chi, we do a lot of stuff where you can see the direct result of your work, like you see the autistic kids [at CLP] being happy or the patients at Winchester Nursing Home smiling cause we play bingo with them,” Liu said.

Junior Tiffany Yung, president of the Interact Club, is also an advocate of selfless volunteerism.

“I volunteer because it not only helps the community be a better place, but also yourself in growing as a person. Though you can’t see the results now, it’s good to know that you’re giving more than you’re getting,” Yung said. “We put service above self.”

One of the most popular clubs on campus, Interact provides students the opportunities to help the community and give back.

“We find the events and register for them, making it easy for them to just go,” Yung said. “Interact is not only a club; it’s also a family with one goal in mind: to make this world a better place.”

Through keeping the right ideals, such as compassion and selflessness, in mind while volunteering, students are able to foster moral growth within themselves and the community.