Many students today find themselves struggling with meeting the school’s service hour requirements while being preoccupied with extracurriculars and other activities, yet community service plays a major role in fostering personal growth, strengthens communities, and helps to build essential skills for the future. There are various different ways to earn service hours that go beyond meeting the school’s requirements. Whether it’s about helping your community or fulfilling a requirement, here are a few ways to gain community service hours.

Highland Park High School’s Community Service Opportunities

A good first start in finding service hours is to check Highland Park’s website, and look under the Community Service Council. Under the community service council section, there is a link to Highland Park’s upcoming community service hour opportunities. There are various types of volunteer opportunities for environmental, humanitarianism, educational, and other important causes. Each event includes the location, task, and time, along with the signup or flyer. 

Look for ways to volunteer in your community

Many communities offer various different ways to volunteer. Local elementary schools host events like carnivals or fall festivals that are usually in need of volunteers. Local animal shelters often rely on volunteers to help their organizations run smoothly and keep costs down. This allows them to provide shelter and food for many stray animals. Local libraries use volunteers to help reshelve books and answer questions. Food pantries use volunteers to organize and pass out groceries to those in need. 

Join a service organization

Another way to gain service hours is by joining a service organization such as the Young Men’s Service League, National Charity League, Boy Scouts, or Girl Scouts. These offer opportunities that are often planned specifically for that organization which takes the planning out of your hands. If you are not a member of a service organization, ask a friend who is what they are doing for hours and it can help provide you with possible opportunities.

Find things you are passionate about and research ways to volunteer with those

It is always more fun to do things you are passionate about. For example, if you love animals consider volunteering at a local shelter or wildlife center. If your passion is art you can help organize local workshops or help at art schools. If you love spending time with people and helping them, reach out to your local retirement communities. There are several ways that you can volunteer with seniors. Whether it is helping with bingo or assisting them with their phones and computers, volunteers are always welcome and appreciated in these communities. You can also contact your local children’s hospitals and ask if there are opportunities to help there. They have volunteers who run their information desk and deliver flowers and goodies to patient rooms.