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| 11/12/2007 11:54:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Discover the rewards of volunteering
LISA BIRKMAN
Special to the Leader
Over the past few years, I have volunteered as a mentor to several young children at Berkman Elementary School in Round Rock. Some of my most gratifying moments have been during that time. As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, I encourage everyone to look into the rewarding opportunity of volunteering.
Unfortunately, we sometimes don't make time for the things in life that are the best for us. I am sure many of you reading this are thinking of all the other commitments you already have and how busy you are. I could also use that excuse, as I have a very blessed, but busy life ... a full-time, demanding job, a husband and kids, plus political commitments keep me running.
But, the personal rewards of volunteering really make it worth the time. I was a public school teacher for 13 years in various elementary schools in the area, so being a mentor in an elementary school gives me the chance to spend some time back in the field in which I was trained. And it really is fun!
I hope that the girls I have mentored have had a positive experience and learned from it as I have learned from them.
I mentored one young girl for two years, and during the time, we got to know each other fairly well. She came from a large family, and I think what she enjoyed the most was having someone listen to her without having to compete with her siblings for attention. While I was working with her, her grades and attendance in school improved, and I hope I played a small part in making her life more successful and helping her achieve her goal of becoming a teacher someday.
Although there are several fine mentoring programs in our area, I volunteer through the Supporting, Teaching and Reaching Students program of Round Rock I.S.D. The commitment is at least 30 minutes once a week for one year, or less than 20 hours per school year. Most other school districts in our area have similar programs. The best gift you can give this holiday season is by sharing your time to help others as a volunteer.
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