essay about volunteer community service

Essay Papers Writing Online

The impact of community service – a deep dive into the power of giving back to society.

Community service essays serve as a powerful tool for individuals to reflect on their experiences, values, and impact on the world around them. Through the process of writing about their volunteer work, students are able to articulate the positive changes they have made in their communities and explore the lessons they have learned along the way.

Community service essays also play a crucial role in highlighting the importance of giving back to society and fostering a sense of empathy and compassion in individuals. By sharing personal stories of service, students can inspire others to get involved and make a difference in their own communities.

Moreover, community service essays can help students gain valuable skills such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving, as they reflect on the challenges and successes of their volunteer experiences. By documenting their service work, students can also showcase their commitment to social responsibility and community engagement to colleges, scholarship committees, and potential employers.

Why Community Service Essays Matter

In today’s society, the importance of community service essays cannot be overstated. These essays serve as a platform for individuals to showcase their dedication to helping others and making a positive impact on their communities. Through these essays, individuals can share their experiences, insights, and perspectives on the value of giving back to society.

Community service essays also play a crucial role in raising awareness about different social issues and encouraging others to get involved in volunteer work. By sharing personal stories and reflections, individuals can inspire and motivate others to take action and contribute to the betterment of society.

Furthermore, community service essays provide an opportunity for individuals to reflect on their own values, beliefs, and goals. Through the process of writing these essays, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world, leading to personal growth and development.

In conclusion, community service essays matter because they have the power to inspire change, raise awareness, and promote personal growth. By sharing their stories and insights, individuals can make a difference in their communities and create a more compassionate and giving society.

The Impact of Community Service Essays

Community service essays have a profound impact on both the individuals writing them and the communities they serve. These essays serve as a platform for students to reflect on their experiences and articulate the lessons they have learned through their service work.

One of the primary impacts of community service essays is the opportunity for self-reflection. Students are encouraged to critically analyze their experiences, challenges, and accomplishments during their community service activities. This reflection helps students develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their values, and their role in the community.

Another significant impact of community service essays is the awareness they raise about social issues and community needs. By sharing their stories and insights, students can shed light on important issues and inspire others to get involved in community service. These essays can also help community organizations and stakeholders better understand the needs of their communities and how they can address them effectively.

Overall, community service essays play a vital role in promoting social responsibility, empathy, and civic engagement. They empower students to make a positive impact in their communities and contribute to creating a more compassionate and inclusive society.

Guidelines for Writing Community Service Essays

When writing a community service essay, it is important to follow certain guidelines to ensure that your message is clear and impactful. Here are some tips to help you craft a powerful and compelling essay:

• Start by brainstorming ideas and reflecting on your community service experiences.
• Clearly define the purpose of your essay and what you hope to convey to your readers.
• Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Use specific examples and anecdotes to support your points and showcase your personal growth.
• Highlight the impact of your community service activities on both yourself and others.
• Showcase your passion and dedication to serving your community.
• Be authentic and honest in your writing, and avoid exaggerating or embellishing your experiences.
• Edit and proofread your essay carefully to ensure clarity, coherence, and proper grammar.

Examples of Effective Community Service Essays

Community service essays can have a powerful impact on the reader when they are well-written and thoughtful. Here are a few examples to inspire you:

1. A Well-Structured Essay:

This essay begins with a compelling introduction that clearly articulates the author’s motivation for engaging in community service. The body paragraphs provide specific examples of the author’s experiences and the impact they had on both the community and themselves. The conclusion ties everything together, reflecting on the lessons learned and the importance of giving back.

2. Personal Reflection:

This essay delves deep into the author’s personal experiences during their community service work. It explores the challenges they faced, the emotions they encountered, and the growth they underwent. By sharing vulnerable moments and candid reflections, the author creates a connection with the reader and demonstrates the transformational power of service.

3. Future Goals and Impact:

This essay not only discusses past community service experiences but also looks toward the future. The author shares their aspirations for continued service and outlines how they plan to make a difference in the world. By showcasing a sense of purpose and vision, this essay inspires the reader to consider their own potential for impact.

These examples illustrate how community service essays can be effective tools for conveying meaningful stories, inspiring others, and showcasing personal growth. By crafting a compelling narrative and reflecting on the significance of service, you can create an essay that leaves a lasting impression.

How Community Service Essays Empower Individuals

Community service essays provide individuals with a platform to express their thoughts, share their experiences, and make a meaningful impact on society. By writing about their volunteer work and the lessons they have learned, individuals can empower themselves to create positive change and inspire others to do the same.

• Through community service essays, individuals can reflect on the importance of giving back to their communities and the value of helping those in need.
• These essays can serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for individuals to continue their philanthropic efforts and make a difference in the world.
• By sharing their stories through community service essays, individuals can raise awareness about social issues and promote greater empathy and understanding among their peers.

Overall, community service essays empower individuals to take action, advocate for change, and contribute to building a more compassionate and equitable society.

Related Post

How to master the art of writing expository essays and captivate your audience, convenient and reliable source to purchase college essays online, step-by-step guide to crafting a powerful literary analysis essay, tips and techniques for crafting compelling narrative essays.

Essays About Community Service: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

If you are looking for your next writing topic, discover top examples of essays about community service and helpful writing prompts in our guide.

Community service refers to an individual or a group’s volunteer work dedicated to improving the community and its people. In America, Benjamin Franklin introduced community service in the 18th century by developing the idea of ​​the first volunteer firehouse in Philadelphia . Since then, stepping up has become a norm, with more people encouraged to participate.

Volunteering helps individuals gain experience, improve self-esteem, expand knowledge, and promote healthy goals. In addition, choosing community service as a topic in your essay allows you to explain its significance to entice your readers to get involved. To give you an idea of ​​how to write essays about community service, here are five examples that will help you.

5 Top Examples On Essays About Community Service

1. essay on community service and its importance by joni kim, 2. community service experience: essay on what i learned by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 3. why is community service important by perry mullins, 4. concept of the community services in modern society essay by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. community service experience essay by writer molly, 1. community service vs. volunteering, 2. community service: then and now, 3. why we should volunteer, 4. community service in schools: mandatory or voluntary, 5. community service and its influences, 6. types of community service, 7. my community service experience, 8. donation or service: what’s better to give.

“The service helps the group of people in need, for example, senior citizens, children, people with disability and the likes. Sometimes community service is geared towards solving problems related to the needs of community members, especially low-income earners.”

Kim explains that community service is a voluntary action done through various means. It includes health and child care services, education, housing, and other improvements to aid and support the community members who need the most assistance. Then, Kim focuses on its importance to individuals, the community, and the country. The essay showcases how community service improves social, interpersonal, and decision-making skills. It also allows students to explore and find their interests. Ultimately, Kim believes that the real-life experience of volunteering assists in determining one’s career path, providing advantages when applying for a job.

“This experience has helped me to cherish my ability to influence and impact others in a positive way, and it helped me to look at community service as a benefit for myself, instead of just another obligation to fit into my schedule.”

In this essay, the writer reflects on their community service experience, sharing the gains they reaped from the program. They discuss how their undying love for animals and tight-knit communities made them realize the gravity of sharing. They also had the opportunity to strengthen and develop a new set of talents and skills from the encounter. However, the author also mentions that when the desire to do good morphs into a forced responsibility, it leads to failure. The writer says they often receive more benefits than the people and animals they help, as the experience makes them more patient, flexible, and responsible.

“True volunteering lies in an individual’s will and drives to help other and enforcing it eliminates that drive.”

Mullins focuses his essay on explaining why it should not be mandatory for students to do community service. For him, mandatory volunteering takes away the true meaning of volunteerism. Students only view it as additional work – an obligatory criterion they must check off their list to graduate. He claims that students will gain nothing but stress instead of new skills and knowledge when compulsory community services are in place.

“As for me, I consider community work as a good opportunity to get the main idea of some particular services, still, I would not have the same great desire to participate in social life if the services would become obligatory for graduation.”

In modern society, volunteering is becoming a necessary factor in many organizations. People with experience in community service have more opportunities to get a job. The author delves into community service’s importance but also criticizes that making it a requisite takes away its value. With various arguments from professionals like Alina Tugend , the essay further argues that no one would want to receive help from people who consider it an obligation.

“The community service project is different from other school educations the community service can teach us how to love others and how to fulfill our heart with joy.”

Molly dislikes homeless people because of their appearance and smell, but this all changes when cleaning and selling preloved items to homeless people becomes the best experience of her life. Community service taught her that the homeless are no different from her. She also learned to be thankful for her situation. She concludes that after the program, she became more respectful, responsible, and caring to other people.

Do you want to secure that A+ Grade? Check out our round-up of the best essay writing apps for students and academics.

8 Helpful Prompts on Essays About Community Service

If you’re still confused about the topic and can’t choose what to talk about, you can use the prompts below:

To write this prompt, the first part of your essay should discuss the meaning of community service and volunteering. Next, identify and examine the different characteristics of a community service worker and volunteer to clearly explain their similarities and differences. Then finish your essay with your opinion on the matter or look for more information you can expound on in your own words. 

This prompt shows how people’s definitions, processes, and perceptions of community service changed over time. Research and write down how community service started in your country or area to make it more relatable. Include examples of community services that made a big difference for the community and consider how these services impacted people’s lives.

Explain to your readers what voluntary work means and why exposure to it is crucial. Next, write the advantages and disadvantages of volunteering and what they should expect if they decide to be a volunteer. Finally, share your experience to clarify your comments, suggestions, and other points.

The decision to make community service mandatory in every school is still up for debate. First, pen your opinion on this topic and whether or not you agree with compulsory community service. Then, discuss your reasons and provide examples or factual evidence to support your arguments.

Identify and scrutinize the positive and negative effects of community service. Find news articles where one type of community service impacted its volunteers, community, and people differently. Write down how the organizer dealt with different situations and if it affected the program’s outcome.

There are three kinds of community service: direct, indirect, and advocacy. First, discuss and give examples for each one. Then, explain how these services differ from programs under service-learning. For example, direct community service includes directly serving homeless people food and clothes, while in service-learning, volunteers will teach people to garden and earn income. 

Use this prompt to share your memorable experience while doing community service and what you learned from it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a short program at your school, work, or organization. The important thing is that you have experience in community service. Include your initial reaction and if it changed over time while you were doing the service.

Some choose to donate money to various organizations that perform community service. Others join the program and personally help other people. In this prompt, share your opinion on the topic and whether you consider donating as community service. To make your essay more intriguing, look for prominent personalities who consistently contribute or engage in community service versus those who only present monetary assistance. 

AI grammar checkers are powerful resources that can help you improve your writing. See our guide on how to use an AI grammar checker. For help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing ?

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

View all posts

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

Tips for Writing a Standout Community Service Essay

←6 Diversity College Essay Examples

How to Write the “Why This Major” College Essay→

Through your college applications process, you’re likely to come across the term “community service” many times. In fact, you may be asked to write an essay about it. This post will cover the specifics of a community service essay and how to go about writing one, including what to cover and common mistakes to avoid. 

What is a Community Service Essay?

You may encounter the community service essay as you’re writing your supplemental essays for college. These are school-specific prompts that only go to the college that requests them, unlike the personal statement , which goes to every school you apply to. Not all schools require community service essays, but several do. It’s also a common requirement for scholarship applications, especially if it’s a school-specific merit scholarship. 

The community service essay is an essay that describes the initiatives you have taken outside of the classroom to benefit your community. In a 2018 survey of 264 admissions leaders across the US, 58% said that community service is a tie-breaker between students who are otherwise equally qualified. The community service essay offers you the opportunity to shine light on the work you have done to make an impact on the world and people around you, and is an additional way to help you stand out among other applicants. 

Approaching the Community Service Essay 

Understand the essay requirements  .

As with any essay, it’s important to first understand what is expected of your essay. For a start, elements to pay attention to include: 

• Length requirements
• Focus or subject of the essay prompt 
• Organization of the essay 

Although all community service essays ultimately have the same purpose of having you describe your local service activities, they can come with different types of prompts. Below are three sample prompts. Note the differences in topic specificity, length requirements, and breadth of the prompt. 

From the CGCS – Bernard Harris Scholarship Program: 

Please describe a meaningful volunteer or community service experience, including what you learned from participating.

From the University of California Application :

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? (350 words).

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words.

Brainstorming for your community service essay 

Once you have an understanding of what is required of the specific you are to write, the next step is to brainstorm ideas for a specific topic. If you have various community-engaged service experiences under your belt, consider the following before you finalize your decision. 

The best topics:

Are substantial in length and scope. It’s better to cover a long-term commitment than a one-off afternoon at the food pantry or animal shelter. 

Are transformative or inspiring. Although community service is “others”-oriented, colleges are looking to learn more about you. The ideal community service essay topic should be an experience that changed or challenged your perspective, and was ultimately fulfilling. 

Illustrate personal qualities or passions that you want to highlight. Given the specific prompt, and taking the rest of your application into consideration, which personal interests do you want to highlight? Which activity illuminates the personal quality that you want to bring attention to? 

These are all elements to consider before you begin writing your essay. 

Tips for Writing Your Community Service Essay 

1. include anecdotes.

Anecdotes are a great way to begin your essay, not only as a way to grab your reader’s attention, but by launching right into the experience of your service activity. You can start with a line about a particularly busy afternoon at the orphanage, or a morning cleaning up the streets after a storm, or the sense of accomplishment you felt when you watched a dog under your care at the animal shelter get adopted. 

2. Show, don’t tell 

We’re sure you’ve heard this axiom of general writing before, but it applies to college essays just as much as with any other piece of writing. Opt for evocative examples over plain explaining whenever possible. Take this sentence: “There was a lot of food waste at our school cafeteria.” It’s not nearly as powerful as this description: “I peered into the tall, gray trash cans to inspect the mountain of Styrofoam trays and discarded food. There were countless pizza crusts, globs of green beans, and unopened cartons of milk.” 

Anyone could write the first sentence, and it’s not a unique experience. In the second description, we’re shown the scene of the writer’s lunchroom. We get a peek into their perspective and life, which makes the writing more vivid and relatable. Aim to bring your reader into your world as much as possible.

3. Share your responsibilities and accomplishments.

The more tangible your community service activities feel to the reader, the more powerful your essay will be. Concretize your work by stating the basic details of what kind of work you did and what your duties involved, where it was based, when you began working, and the amount of time you spent working. 

Be sure to quantify your work and accomplishments when possible; it’s better to say your fundraiser yielded 125 books than “a large number” of books. It’s important to also elaborate on why the work you did matters. Why was it important? Did the books you collected or purchased after the fundraiser expand the library of the local orphanage that they already had, or did it offer the children easy access to books that wasn’t available previously? Be specific and detailed.  

4. Highlight what you learned and how you’ll use those lessons moving forward. 

Towards the end of your essay, you’ll want to share how you benefited from the community service work you did. This is an important part of the essay, because it shows how you are able to distill your experiences to applicable lessons in your own life. 

Think of this section in two potential parts: skills you learned, and personal development. Did you gain any hard skills, such as public speaking, poster design, or funds management? Then think about how you developed as an individual. Are you more empathetic or patient now? 

Things to Avoid in Your Community Service Essay 

1. don’t list out everything that happened..

You want to keep your essay well-structured and concise. This isn’t a résumé, or a play-by-play of the entire experience. Stick to the most telling details and anecdotes from your experience. 

2. Avoid using a pretentious or privileged tone.

Humility goes a long way, and entitlement can be smelled from afar. The purpose of this essay is not to paint yourself as a savior of any kind, but rather to show what’s important to you in your non-academic life, and how you approach solving real-world and interpersonal problems. 

3. Avoid clichés.

It may be tempting to quote famous people, but doing so can easily seem like a shortcut, plus it shows little of who you are. Try also to steer clear of trite and vague life lesson lines such as “I learned that people can be happy with so little,” or “I learned the importance of giving back.” Not only do they carry a tone of privilege, they are also sweeping general conclusions and don’t convey anything specific of what you learned. 

Community service is only a part of the college application process, which can be daunting and confusing. CollegeVine will help you navigate each step of the process, from building a college list, to calculating your chances at each school using our chancing engine. Create your free account and get started now !

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, writing a community service scholarship essay.

I'm applying for a scholarship that requires an essay about my community service experiences. What are some tips or ideas you could give me for writing a strong essay to impress the scholarship committee?

When writing a community service scholarship essay, here are some tips and ideas to help you create a strong essay that will impress the scholarship committee:

1. Start strong: Begin your essay with a compelling anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful statement to grab the attention of the scholarship committee and make them want to read more.

2. Emphasize your motivation: Explain why you were drawn to community service and what motivates you to continue volunteering. This could be a general passion for helping others, a desire to give back to your community, or a specific cause that resonates with you.

3. Focus on your impact: Emphasize the positive influence your community service experiences have had on you, the people you've helped, and the community as a whole. Include specific examples, stories, or outcomes that demonstrate the impact you made.

4. Showcase your personal growth: Explain how participating in community service has shaped your overall character, values, and perspective. Discuss personal lessons you've learned, challenges you've faced, and how you've grown as a result.

5. Highlight your leadership skills: If you've held any leadership roles in community service projects or organizations, be sure to mention them. Describe the responsibilities you had, the decisions you made, and the results of your actions. These concrete outcomes will show the scholarship committee that you possess the skills necessary to be a successful student and community leader.

6. Be specific and detailed: Don't just list all of the community service activities you've participated in. Instead, choose a few significant experiences and delve deep into the details. Describe the organization you volunteered with, your role, the number of hours you dedicated, and any accomplishments you're especially proud of.

7. Stay organized and focused: Organize your essay in a logical and clear manner. Create a strong, central message or theme, and stick to it throughout your essay. This organization will make your writing more coherent and easier to follow.

8. End memorably: Conclude your essay by summarizing the key points you've made and reinforcing your passion for community service. You could also include a call to action or a vision for the future to leave a lasting impression on the scholarship committee.

9. Proofread and revise: Once you've completed your essay, be sure to proofread for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Ask for feedback from friends, teachers, or family members to get a fresh perspective and polish your essay further.

10. Make it personal and authentic: Lastly, ensure that your essay is genuine and true to you. Write in your own voice and share your unique experiences and perspective. That way, your essay will stand out and connect with the scholarship committee on a deeper level.

11. Take advantage of CollegeVine's resources: CollegeVine has a blog post breaking down how to write a successful community service essay ( https://blog.collegevine.com/community-service-essay/) , and also offers both a free peer essay review tool and paid reviews by expert college admissions advisors - sometimes, a more objective set of eyes on your writing is just what you need to determine whether or not your impact on your community is coming across clearly.

Best of luck with your essay!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

65 Volunteerism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best volunteerism topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting volunteerism topics to write about, 💡 good research topics about volunteerism.

• Importance of Volunteerism Essay A society where people volunteer and work together is always faces less problems since all the members tend to get along well and support each when they are in need.
• Community service should be required by most citizens of a country One of the reasons is because President Clinton has been explaining the importance of volunteering to the community by the American students and the public. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Concept of the Community Services in Modern Society Community services are defined as the services which are performed for the benefit of the society on volunteering basis. The advantages of the community services cannot be questioned, still, making such service mandatory for graduation […]
• Volunteerism Is Important in Canada Nevertheless, there is a view that volunteering is the exploitation of free labor of workers and a waste of time since such delivery is not paid.
• Volunteerism in Corporate America Construct validity is significant for the research which is expected to be done in this dissertation. A threat to construct validity is the reliability of a test.
• Job Satisfaction and Employee Retention Correlates of Corporate Volunteerism The proposed sub-sample size of 200 is a prudent compromise between precision and the cost of enlarging the samples. The investigation of cause-and-effect can be projected with a reasonable degree of confidence to the universe […]
• Significant Voluntary Sector Organisations Challenges in Public Service Delivery The main concern raised in the conference was a discussion of the role of voluntary organisations in the delivery of public services.
• Addressing the Impacts of Undergraduates’ Engagement in Community Service on Stakeholders It is important to note that as much as the community and the individual stands to benefit from community service, there are various challenges facing the provision of this service in a given community.
• Illuminate Diabetes Event Design Finally, after these special performances, there will be distribution of fliers with information on diabetes and encouragement to get tested for diabetes and thus reach the climax of the event.
• Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board The Hampton-Newport Community Services Board offers a broad range of mental well-being and drug abuse services and care for people with mental and developmental disorders. The agency works together with certified psychoanalysts and psychologists in […]
• Volunteering in Leisure Sector The review shows that individuals are motivated due to the benefits that come with volunteering in the sector and the nature of the activity.
• Helping, Giving, and Volunteerism The role of voluntarism in term of donations and giving is immense and continues to change the lives of many people in different parts of the world.
• Volunteering for Horizon House: Homeless Neighbours’ Motivation to Find Jobs To understand and analyze the role of the center in changing the homeless neighbours’ life for better, it is appropriate to focus on the center’s assistance in employing neighbours and developing their job skills with […]
• Conceptualization of the Aspect of Community Service As part of expressive the Jewish values, the aspect of creativity and innovativeness help to inspire the inner self to remain observant, responsible, and caring to the needs of neighbors and the society at large.
• Community Service: Mandatory or Voluntary? Engaging in community service not only helps in transforming the behavior of young people but it is also helpful to adults.
• Effective Ecological Volunteerism
• Sacrificing Time and Effort for the Good of Others: The Volunteerism
• Comparing Patriotism and Volunteerism in the Society
• What Animal Shelters Can Do to Reduce the Gender Gap in Volunteerism
• Service and Volunteerism in THE US, Chile, and France
• The Community Outreach and Volunteerism Division at Southwest Airlines
• The Effects of Volunteerism and Social Capital as Well as Health
• Motivational Factors Affecting Olympic Volunteerism Among Turkish University Students
• Volunteerism and Employee Encouragement
• Crowding in With Impure Altruism: Theory and Evidence From Volunteerism in National Parks
• The Different Forms of Volunteerism to Help and Keep People Safe
• Changes in Volunteerism in the Info Revolution: Volunteering Community Service
• Volunteerism After the Tsunami: The Effects of Democratization
• Employee Volunteerism in Kenya
• Integration of Seven Habits to Professional Volunteerism Administration
• Capacity Building in Community Engagement and Volunteerism
• An Analysis of Public Service and Volunteerism in the United States
• Mandatory Volunteerism: Growing Within the Education System
• Community Service and Student Volunteerism
• Leadership Accountability and Ethics in Volunteerism and Volunteer Management
• Mandatory Volunteerism Is the Act of Forcing Young Adults
• Volunteerism and Community Service in America Today
• Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Volunteerism
• History of Volunteerism in the US: A Crash Course
• Solidarity, Volunteerism and Social Order
• Motivations and Perceptions of Volunteerism as a Leisure Activity
• Volunteerism and Volunteer Management in Sport
• The Context and Process of Volunteerism
• Dispositional and Structural Determinants of Volunteerism
• Volunteerism: Social Issues Perspectives and Social Policy Implications
• Demographic Understanding of Volunteerism
• The Role of Individual and Collective Identification in Aids Volunteerism
• Volunteerism in Adolescence: A Process Perspective
• The Functional Approach to Volunteerism
• The Unintended Consequences of Volunteerism: Positive Outcomes for Those Who Serve
• Factors Affecting Volunteerism among Older Adults
• The Psychology of Aids Volunteerism
• The Influence of Altruism on the Study of Volunteering
• A Model of Sustained Volunteerism during the Transition to Adulthood
• Volunteerism by Elders: Past Trends and Future Prospects
• Volunteerism: The Influences of Social, Religious, and Human Capital
• What Are the Benefits of Volunteerism to Society?
• Volunteerism in Emergencies and Disasters: Definition, Opportunities and Challenges
• The Role, Measurement, and Impact of Volunteerism in Hospitals
• Assessing Motivations for Sports Volunteerism
• The Effects of “Mandatory Volunteerism” on Intentions to Volunteer
• Volunteerism as an Occupation and Its Relationship to Health and Wellbeing
• A Functional Analysis of Altruism and Prosocial Behavior: The Case of Volunteerism
• Describing Volunteerism: The Theory of Unified Responsibility
• Volunteerism, Leadership, Political Socialization, and Civic Engagement
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, February 7). 65 Volunteerism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/volunteerism-essay-examples/

"65 Volunteerism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 7 Feb. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/volunteerism-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '65 Volunteerism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 7 February.

IvyPanda . 2023. "65 Volunteerism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 7, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/volunteerism-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "65 Volunteerism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 7, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/volunteerism-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "65 Volunteerism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 7, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/volunteerism-essay-examples/.

• Volunteering Essay Titles
• Activist Essay Titles
• Social Democracy Essay Titles
• Charity Ideas
• Community Service Questions
• Social Responsibility Topics
• Humanism Research Ideas
• Public Safety Research Ideas
• Environmentalism Essay Topics
• Social Problems Essay Ideas
• Nonprofit Organizations Paper Topics
• Social Work Essay Titles
• Peace Corps Questions
• Wellness Essay Topics
• Red Cross Titles

HIGH SCHOOL

• ACT Tutoring
• SAT Tutoring
• PSAT Tutoring
• ASPIRE Tutoring
• SHSAT Tutoring
• STAAR Tutoring

GRADUATE SCHOOL

• MCAT Tutoring
• GRE Tutoring
• LSAT Tutoring
• GMAT Tutoring
• AIMS Tutoring
• HSPT Tutoring
• ISAT Tutoring
• SSAT Tutoring

Search 50+ Tests

Loading Page

math tutoring

• Elementary Math
• Pre-Calculus
• Trigonometry

science tutoring

Foreign languages.

• Mandarin Chinese

elementary tutoring

• Computer Science

Search 350+ Subjects

• Video Overview
• Tutor Selection Process
• Online Tutoring
• Mobile Tutoring
• Instant Tutoring
• How We Operate
• Our Guarantee
• Impact of Tutoring
• Reviews & Testimonials
• Media Coverage
• About Varsity Tutors

Volunteerism: My Experience by Nori

Noriof Syracuse's entry into Varsity Tutor's May 2018 scholarship contest

Volunteerism: My Experience by Nori - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

Community service has become a major aspect of my life that has shaped me into who I am today. Volunteering is a way that I can give back to the world that does so much for me. There is no one way to define community service, because everyone has their own definition. However, it is not the definition itself that matters; it is what community service means to you. Is it the laughter of the special needs children when I help them bounce on the trampoline at cheer practice? Is it the squeals of the recreational cheer team that I coached when they win a competition? Maybe it is the joy on the faces of the veterans when they win a round of bingo. To me, volunteering and community service are all of these things. Volunteerism is a donation of my time in order to enhance someone’s life, even if it is only slightly. I view volunteering as a window through which I have an opportunity to change the lives of people, as well as my own. However, volunteering is not only about aiding others. It offers so much more. Through volunteering, I learned valuable community and social skills, and well as gained valuable work experience. I learned how to work with children, the elderly, and those with special needs. In addition, I learned what it is like to have a job and responsibilities. Volunteering has played in a significant role in the shaping of who I am today. Community service has been a resource for me to express myself and gain control of my life. After my father passed and my mother suffered a major stroke, leaving her permanently impaired, I sought an outlet, or an escape. I desperately needed a positive activity to take my mind off of the hardships I was experiencing. That outlet was community service. After a visit to my mother in the hospital, I would go to the public library and volunteer with their children’s activities. Seeing the overwhelming smiles of children after reading them a story made me forget about my problems at home. Volunteering has always been a way to bring joy into my life and to make my day (as well as someone else’s) a little bit better! My first significant volunteer experience was coaching a special needs cheerleading team. As a special needs coach, I had to control a group of special needs children. They struggled to do many things on their own, and looked to me to lead them. It is from this experience that I learned to be a leader. I volunteered as their coach during my freshman year of high school, and that is when my leadership skills truly began to develop. I was responsible for instructing the team on cheerleading and ensuring that they did everything safely. When they would go out and compete, they would bring tears to my eyes. I have never met such an inspiring group of kids, and it is from them that I learned that no matter what comes in my way, anything is possible if you give it your best effort, and that all hardships can be overcome. Coaching Team FIRE was not always an easy job. There were many meltdowns and times when I would want to give up. However, the joy that lit up their faces when times were good motivated me to keep going. From them, I learned perseverance. They would be elated when they successfully completed a forward roll, or learned a new dance. Every day, with their joy, they would remind me to enjoy the small things in life, and I will forever appreciate the endless giggles we’ve shared. That team made me proud and made me recognize how lucky I am to be healthy and well. They taught me that someone is always in need of help, and with my help, that person can succeed. Community service made me realize that I wanted to participate in a profession that helped people. At first, I was unsure of what I aspired to be when I grew up, but I knew one thing: I wanted to make an impact in people’s lives. I developed a love of science, and asked myself how I could help people with science. I decided that my goal was to become a forensic chemist, so I could help solve crimes. That way, if a crime was inflicted upon someone or a loved one, those people would receive justice thanks to me. I truly feel as if volunteering has helped me recognize what it is I aspire to be in the future. In addition, I have goals of participating in more volunteer work throughout my life. Volunteering is a significant way to make the world a better place and to grow as a person. I have impacted numerous lives through volunteering, and that is something that I take great pride in. Whether it was reading to children at the library, helping veterans play bingo, giving Thanksgiving meals to the less fortunate, or anything else, I made someone’s day better, and that is an amazing feeling. In addition, I have developed numerous skills through volunteer work. I feel as if I have grown significantly through my community service. Community service has shaped me into a responsible leader. I am grateful for all that volunteering has done for me.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, definition: what is community service.

Extracurriculars

Are you looking for ways to help others?  Are you interested in community service and want to learn more about it?

Read this guide to learn what community service is, examples of community service, and how you can find service projects that interest you.

What Is Community Service?

Community service is work done by a person or group of people that benefits others . It is often done near the area where you live, so your own community reaps the benefits of your work.  You do not get paid to perform community service , though sometimes food and small gifts, like a t-shirt, are given to volunteers.

Community service can help any group of people in need: children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, English language learners, and more. It  can also help animals, such as those at a shelter, and it can be used to improve places, such as a local park, historic building, or scenic area as well.  Community service is often organized through a local group, such as a place of worship, school, or non-profit organization. You can  also start your own community service projects.

Some students are required to complete community service as part of a class requirement in order to graduate high school or become a member of certain organizations, such as the National Honor Society. Adults can also participate in community service as a way to help others or if they are ordered to do so by a judge.

What Are Examples of Community Service?

There are hundreds of ways to participate in community service, depending on your skills and interests.  Some common community service examples include:

Working with schoolchildren:   Tutoring children after school, collecting school supplies to donate, planting a school garden.

Working with senior citizens:   Visiting residents of a retirement center, delivering meals to senior citizens, driving them to appointments.

Improving the environment:  Holding a recycling contest, planting trees, creating a new trail at a nature center.

Helping low-income people:  Passing out food at a soup kitchen, collecting used clothes to be donated, making first aid kits for homeless shelters.

What Are the Benefits of Community Service?

There are many benefits of participating in community service, and some of the most important ones are listed below.

Have the opportunity to help others:  This is often the most important benefit of community service. Participating in it gives you the opportunity to know that you are improving someone's life and making your community better, and you get to see the direct impact of your work.

Gain hands-on experience:  You can learn a lot of skills while performing community service such as construction, painting, customer service, and medical skills. You can also  include your community service work on your resume.

Learn about different careers:  Sometimes you can focus your community service in a field you may want to work in down the road. Some examples of this include  volunteering at an animal shelter if you are thinking about becoming a veterinarian, working at a hospital if you want to be a doctor, or volunteering in a museum if you like history.  The experience gained from community service can help you get an internship or job in the future, and it also gives you the opportunity  to see how much you would really enjoy a particular career.

Personal growth:  Doing community service has personal benefits as well.  It often makes participants more organized, responsible, and compassionate, which are all good qualities to have, as well as qualities that both colleges and employers like to see in applicants.

Gain new friends:  A final benefit is that you  can meet a lot of great people while doing community service.  Community service is often done in groups, so it’s easy to make friends with the people you are working with.  You may also become friends with the people you are helping, especially if you volunteer at the same place regularly.

Where Can You Find Community Service Projects?

Your school or groups you belong   to:  This can  include clubs, places of worship, community centers or any other organizations you are a member of. To find community service opportunities, c heck their website, bulletin board, or newsletter.  If you are a student, your school may also have a community service club that makes it easier to get involved.

Places where you'd like to volunteer:  If you have a specific place where you’d like to perform community service, like a hospital or animal shelter, contact them and ask if they take volunteers.

Your community itself:  You can also look for opportunities at your town hall, or similar building. Also, c heck your town’s website or newsletter. Many include a section that lists current volunteer opportunities.

What's Next?

Did you know that your volunteer work can earn you money for college? It can! Check out the complete list of community service scholarships.

Considering doing community service in a foreign country? Check out our guide to see whether you should participate in a volunteer abroad program.  

Do you want more examples of community service? We have a list of 129 great volunteer ideas! 

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

EnglishGrammarSoft

Essay about Community Service (Importance & Benefits)

Essay about Community Service

Community service is a great way to get involved in your local community. It helps you meet new people and learn new skills, while also giving back to those in need. You might think that the only people who do community service are volunteers or teachers, but anyone can do it! All you need is some time on your hands and a desire to help others. Volunteering can be fun (and even rewarding), so don’t be afraid to give it a try!

What is community service?

Community service is a way for people to give back to their communities, and it involves any kind of volunteer work. Most organizations that provide community service opportunities will have an opportunity for you to find out more about what they do, or how you could help them. You can also contact your local government, school district, or nonprofit organization and ask if they need volunteers.

Once you know what type of volunteer opportunity interests you most—whether it’s working with children at an after-school program or helping out seniors in your neighborhood—you can search online for more information on how to get involved by contacting the organization directly.

What does community service teach you

Community service teaches you to be a good person. It teaches you to be selfless, helpful, and giving. You learn that it is important to give back, not just take from the world around you. Community service will teach your empathy and tolerance as well as how to react towards other people who are different than yourself.

Importance of community service

Volunteering is a great way to give back and help make the world a better place. It’s also good for your health, as studies have shown that people who volunteer have lower rates of depression than those who don’t. Volunteering helps you learn new skills, meet new people and understand other cultures and backgrounds.

If you’re concerned about giving up time that could be spent doing something else, consider how much of your free time is already taken up with social media or watching TV shows or movies at home instead of going out with friends. You might also consider how many hours each day are spent on things like scrolling through Instagram or Facebook—hours during which you may not be actively helping anyone but yourself. Volunteering gives you an opportunity to spend some time helping others while making new friends in the process!

Benefits of community service

Volunteering is a great way to meet people, learn new skills, and make a difference in the world.

Volunteering can help you develop your career. For example, if you are interested in social work or community organizing and want to get some experience before going to college or university, volunteering at an organization that does this kind of work would be an excellent way for you to learn more about it.

You might also benefit from volunteering by learning how another culture works. If you have friends who are members of different ethnic groups than yourself, volunteer with them so that you will get a better understanding of their backgrounds and cultures.

Getting involved in your local community

If you’re a student, there’s no better way to get involved in your local community than by becoming a member of the student council. It’s an excellent way to build leadership skills and gain experience that will serve you well throughout your life, whether you decide to go into politics or not. Since it’s a volunteer position, it’s also one of the most flexible ways for students who want to get involved but don’t have time for anything else (or even those who simply aren’t sure what they want).

If you’re a parent or guardian, there are plenty of ways for parents and guardians as well—from volunteering as sports coaches or teachers at schools and community centers; helping out with fundraising activities like bake sales; even participating on committees such as school PTAs/PTCs (Parent-Teacher Associations / Parent-Teacher Councils). Just getting involved in these kinds of events will help people see that they can make an impact on their community when they work together!

As you can see, there are many benefits to volunteering and giving back to your community. There is no better feeling than knowing that you are helping others in need or working towards making your local area a better place for everyone. We hope that this essay has inspired you to get out there and get started

More on essays

How to Write an Essay | Structure of Essay (Comprehensive Guide)

• Essay on Happiness is a State of Mind
• Essay on Education
• Essay on importance of education
• Essay on online education
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Teaching Profession
• Essay on Thank You Teacher
• An Essay on School Life
• Essay on Empathy for Students
• Essay on Gratitude
• Essay on Benefits of Reading
• Essay on Library
• Essay on Bullying in Schools
• Essay on Friendship
• Essay on Vacation

Essay on Goals in Life

• Essay about Anxiety and Stress
• Essay on Time Management
• Essay on Value of Time
• Essay on Resilience
• Essay on 7 Cs of Communication
• Essay on 8 Business Functions
• Essay on Communication
• Essay on Social Media and Its Impact
• Essay on Personality Development
• Essay on Leadership
• Essay on Importance of water in life
• Essay on Pollution
• Essay on Environment Protection
• Essay on Save Water
• Essay on Corruption
• Essay on Drug Addiction
• Essay on Why Trees are Important in our Life
• 500 Words Essay on Nature in English
• Essay on Global Warming Causes and Effects
• Essay on Deforestation
• Essay on Smoking is bad for health
• A Short Essay on Mothers Day
• Essay on Health is Wealth

Similar Posts

Essay about Traveling (1000 Words)

Traveling is an experience that anyone should have at least once in their life. It gives you the opportunity to meet new people, learn about…

Essay about Life Challenges (1000 Words)

Life’s challenges are unavoidable. They are diverse and everywhere, each demanding a different approach. But how can we deal with these difficult situations? It is…

A step by step guide on How to Write an Essay? How to write an essay? You will learn in this guide. What is an…

Everyone has some sort of goal they’re working towards. Whether it’s a career goal, weight loss goal, or saving money goal, goals are important for…

Essay on Success in Life (1500 Words)

Success is a goal that all of us want to achieve in life. Success comes from hard work and dedication. We must strive to achieve…

Essay on Personality Development | Role of Education in Personality Development

Essay on Personality Development Education is an important factor in the personality development of individuals. The school, after the home, is one of the social…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Humane Society  of the Palouse

"helping those who cannot help themselves.".

The Humane Society is always happy to have volunteers come out and help care for our animals. The animals like new faces as well.

Are you interested in Volunteering?  Please contact HSoP and schedule your first shift!  Due to limited space, HSoP can only accommodate so many volunteers at one time. 

Volunteer Hours are available Monday through Friday from 2:00-5:00. We can schedule up to three volunteers at a time. 

Sign up for your shift today! 

Contact HSoP by phone at (208) 883-1166 or through email at

[email protected]

Do you have questions about volunteering with us? Click here to visit our Volunteering FAQs !

Junior Volunteers

Additional Guidelines for Younger Volunteers

You must be at least 12 years old to be a junior volunteer. During their first volunteering shift, junior volunteers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to go over rules, sign the application, and ensure their child understands the process. 

After the initial supervised shift, junior volunteers can volunteer alone for up to one hour per day.  Junior volunteers are not allowed in the dog kennels without their parent or guardian. 

There is a 3-strikes rule!  If we have to remind you about following these rules three times, you will not be allowed to return to volunteer without a parent.

HSoP cannot accommodate volunteers under the age of 12 at this time. 

***Junior Volunteers can socialize with animals that are already accustomed to younger people.  If an animal is not comfortable or socialized with children, you will not be allowed to interact with them.***

Dog Walking

Our dogs love getting to go on walks! These mini adventures offer a fun break from the shelter environment, and give our pups a chance to practice their leash skills before going home. If you'd like to help our pups get some relaxing walks in, we would love to have your help!

If you haven't already, be sure to fill out and submit a volunteer application. 

Next, fill out and submit the dog walking form above. Be sure to carefully read all guidelines. 

Just like that, you're all set to walk some dogs! We will ask to hold onto your ID while you're out. 

***Junior volunteers cannot walk dogs by themselves. If they are accompanied by an adult parent or guardian, then the junior volunteer can accompany the adult for the walk, but may not control the leash.***

Group Volunteering

Thank you for considering HSoP as the beneficiary of your groups’ philanthropy! Due to space restrictions at HSoP, we are unable to accommodate large groups of volunteers on site.  However, groups can do a lot for the animals currently at HSoP by organizing fundraisers, pet food drives, or pet supply collections for the homeless animals of Latah County.

While we aren’t able to accommodate groups at our shelter, your group efforts can still make a huge difference to the homeless animals found within your community.

After your group has organized a fundraiser, supported a pet food drive for our Pet Food Pantry, or done a supply collection, a tour is a wonderful way to top off the experience!  This is a great way for your group to see exactly how your efforts have benefited your pet community.

To schedule a group tour, or for fun ideas for group projects, please contact us by phone at  (208)883-1166 or through email at  [email protected] .

Fun ideas for how groups can help:

Volunteering at HSoP events

Supply donation drives

Pet food drives

Making dog toys

Making dog treats

Making cat treats

Making cat toys

Making blankets for our kitties!

Our cats and kittens love to lie on handmade blankets. You can knit, crochet, or tie blanks out of fleece. The recommended measurement is about 18-20” x 18-20” when you’re finished.

Court-Mandated Community Service

Thank you for your interest in serving your mandated community service hours at the Humane Society of the Palouse. Individuals seeking to fulfill community service requirements do not participate in the volunteer program: they complete projects and tasks that do not involve any contact with the animals or the clients at the shelter.

Community Service Volunteers must read the guidelines, complete information profile, and sign the code of conduct/waiver in order to get started. Please note that the Humane Society of the Palouse reserves the right to refuse a Community Service Volunteer for any reason.

Community Service Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

Volunteers must schedule in advance

Time slots available are from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm, Monday – Saturday

To sign up, please contact HSoP by phone at (208) 883-1166

HSoP reserves the right to turn away any Community Service Volunteers who do not show up on time, and to ask Community Service Volunteers to leave early if there is not enough work available.

Shifts are filled on a first come, first serve basis and HSoP can only accommodate 1 volunteer per day.

Duties may include laundry, dishes, sorting donations, cleaning, and more.

Dress Protocol

To prevent slipping, exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals, and injuries, all Community Service Volunteers must wear flat, enclosed rubber-sole shoes at all times.

All Community Service Volunteers must not wear thong sandals, flip flops, or any shoe with an open toe, torn clothing, cut-off shorts, T-shirts with controversial or offensive messages, halter tops, backless shirts, half-shirts, muscle shirts, tank tops, dangling earrings, or other jewelry that may interfere with volunteer duties.

DIY Volunteering Ideas

Are you interested in helping HSoP but are unable to come into HSoP during our hours of operation? 

This page has ideas for how you can still help homeless animals.  Did you know that providing homeless dogs and cats with toys is very important for their well-being?  The ideas on this page can help you make some very special critters their own toys that are theirs to keep both at HSoP and in their new home.  

Do you have a large group that would like to help HSoP? 

These ideas are great for a large group to do together and then bring into HSoP.  Under each idea, you will find how many volunteer hours you can receive for donating these DIY items. 

Stuffed Monkey’s Fist Knot:

1 hour awarded per every 2 toys.

Click here  for instructions.

No-Sew Fleece Blankets:

1 hour awarded per every 2 blankets.

Click here   for instructions.

Fleece Dog & Cat Toy:

1 hour awarded per every 5 toys.

Flirt Pole:

Ball & Tug Dog Toy

Check out this fun PDF for even more ideas on DIY dog and cat toys!

• Does HSoP euthanize animals? The Humane Society of the Palouse is a low/no-kill shelter. HSoP will not euthanize adoptable animals due to space. We’ve stayed true to our mission for 45 years and are committed to preserving and nurturing the lives of all the rescued animals in our care. We reserve humane euthanasia only in instances when animals are suffering greatly with no potential for relief, or if an animal is so aggressive that he or she presents a danger to people or other animals and cannot be safely handled or placed. The decision to euthanize is never made lightly and done only with the best interest of the animal in mind. HSoP is committed to providing all of the animals we rescue with the individualized and compassionate care they need and deserve until they are adopted by responsible, loving people.
• How many canines does HSoP help per year? Each year HSoP provides temporary housing for anywhere from 200-300 dogs.
• How many dogs are returned to their owner, and how many are adopted out per year? For stray dogs that are found within Moscow city limits, HSoP on average will be able to reunite 60% with their owners and 40% will remain in shelter care until adopted. Whereas stray dogs that are found outside of Moscow city limits, HSoP on average will be able to reunite 40% with their owners and 60% will remain in shelter care until adopted. We strongly encourage all pet owners to equip their pets with accurate ID to increase the likelihood of them coming home if they ever get lost. We encourage microchip ID for all pets, and strongly recommend a collar with an ID tag containing the owner's contact number.
• How many felines does HSoP help per year? Each year HSoP provides temporary housing for anywhere from 200-300 cats. HSoP generally has more cats than dogs
• How many cats are returned to their owner, and how many are adopted out per year? For stray cats that are found within Moscow city limits, HSoP on average will be able to reunite 10% with their owners and 90% will remain in shelter care until adopted. Whereas stray cats that are found outside of Moscow city limits, HSoP on average will be able to reunite 1% with their owners and 99% will remain in shelter care until adopted. We strongly encourage all pet owners to equip their pets with accurate ID to increase the likelihood of them coming home if they ever get lost. We encourage microchip ID for all pets, and strongly recommend a collar with an ID tag containing the owner's contact number. Cats should wear breakaway collars if possible.
• How is HSoP funded? For a more detailed view of HSoP finances, visit our Financial Transparency page.
• How much funding needs to be donated or raised by HSoP to make up the 35% and 8% of the annual budget? Each year, HSoP has to raise over $80,000 through donations and fundraising just to keep our doors open. ​ This is why any size donation is greatly appreciated. Without the generous and continued support of our pet community, HSoP would not be able to do what we do. Donate today!
• Is the Humane Society of the Palouse part of the Humane Society of the United States? No. HSoP has no affiliation with HSUS or the ASPCA. Though we do look to the national animal welfare organizations to stay current with best practices, we do not receive funding nor are we affiliated with them. HSoP does apply for grants through these large national organizations, however HSoP does not receive annual funding from the HSUS or ASPCA.
• Who is involved with HSoP? City of Moscow, Chief of Police City of Moscow owns the building and pays for utilities and make up 22% of HSoP yearly budget. Latah county provides 10% of HSoPs’ yearly budget. HSoP presents to the County Commissioners every year to request funding. HSoP Voluntary Board of Directors 14 members who bring a variety of expertise to the organization. HSoP has a full time staff of 5 that include: Shelter Director Animal Care Attendants Public Relations Manager Countless Volunteers
• Does the Humane Society of the Palouse pick up stray animals? The Humane Society does not pick up animals. Stray dogs found within Moscow city limits can be reported to the Animal Control Officer by calling (208)882-2677. If a stray dog is found in Latah County, citizens can call the Latah County Sheriff’s office at (208)882-2216 for assistance, but do so knowing there is no animal control for Latah County. There is no animal control for stray cats.
• Where does HSoP list stray or impounded animals? HSoP lists all stray or unclaimed animals on our Facebook page. To see the most recent stray and impounded animals, please visit our Facebook page through this link: Humane Society of the Palouse | Facebook
• If my pet is missing, could it be at the animal shelter? Hundreds of companion animals come into the shelter every year from Latah County. If your pet is missing, it is important that you contact the shelter as soon as possible so that a missing pet report can be completed and shelter staff can be notified to look for your pet. It is also important that you visit the shelter in-person and look for your pet on a regular basis. Please remember that it is the responsibility of the pet owner to search for their missing pet; however, HSoP will do everything possible to assist you in doing so. We also encourage posting a photo, description and information about where your pet went missing from as well as when to local lost and found groups on Facebook.
• What happens if my pet is brought to the shelter? If your pet is not readily identifiable by tag or microchip, your pet will be held for a stray holding period. Dogs found in the City of Moscow have a 10-day holding period. Dogs found outside of Moscow but within Latah County have a 6-day holding period. Cats found anywhere within Moscow or Latah County have a 6-day holding period. The Shelter will make every effort to contact you regarding your pet during this time. Reclaim fees apply in each situation and must be paid prior to reclaiming your pet. Unclaimed pets become the property of HSoP following the end of a stray holding period. Once this happens, they start the process of becoming ready for adoption. Please ensure that all of your pets have accurate ID to increase the chance of being reunited with them if they ever get lost.
• What does it cost to reclaim my pet from the shelter? Pet owners are charged an impound fee of $20.00. To reclaim a dog that lives within Moscow city limits, if the dog is not already licensed with the city, the purchase of a lifetime license is mandatory. The license is $25.00 for altered dogs and $35.00 for intact dogs. Boarding fees of $10.00 per day are charged for each day of impound after the initial twenty-four hours of arrival at the Shelter
• Do I have to have my pet spayed or neutered? Spaying or neutering is not required for reclaimed pets, although we encourage responsible sterilization of pets and offer assistance through S.N.A.P. Spaying or neutering your pets can prevent unwanted litters and even prevent some cancers in your beloved cat or dog. There are already so many homeless cats and dogs at the shelter, we don't need anymore! If you are in need of assistance having your pet spayed or neutered, please apply for our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP).
• If I witness what I believe to be an act of animal cruelty, who do I call? Humane Society of the Palouse encourages the public to IMMEDIATELY report acts of animal cruelty or neglect to Animal Control by calling (208) 882-2677 if occurring within Moscow city limits, and (208) 882-2216 if occurring in Latah County. HSoP does not have the ability to report cruelty or neglect secondhand. If we are contacted about situations of this kind, we will direct them to contact local law enforcement.
• Does HSoP offer veterinary services to the pulbic? Though we would love to offer spaying/neutering and vaccination services to our local pet community, HSoP does not have the ability or facilities to do so at this time. HSoP does offer assistance through our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), and microchipping services. For a list of local veterinary services, please view the Veterinary Services resource page in the HSoP Resource Library.
• Does it cost money to surrender an owned animal? Yes. HSoP does ask for a small donation to help provide care for owned pets that have been surrendered. Please visit our Owner Surrender page to learn more.
• How old do I have to be to visit the shelter? Anyone is welcome to visit the shelter during our open hours! We do have some restrictions about who can see and interact with shelter pets: - You must be at least 18 years old to enter our dog kennels or to interact with our adoptable dogs without a parent or guardian present. - You must be at least 18 years old to interact with our adoptable cats without a parent or guardian present (unless you're working a junior volunteer shift). - Those 17 and under are welcome to visit the shelter and interact will all of our adoptable pets, so long as they're accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18.
• I'm going on vacation, can you board my pet? No. At this time HSoP does not offer boarding services for pets. There are several boarding facilities throughout Latah County and most vet clinics will also board. For a list of local boarding services, please view our Pet Boarding Services resource sheet in the HSoP Resource Library.
• I found a wild animal hurt in my yard, what should I do? HSoP is not equipped care for wildlife. If you've found an injured or orphaned wild bird or animal, please call Palouse Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation at (208) 614-2273. For more information, please visit their website: Palouse Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
• I found a feral cat, what do I do? HSoP does not have the ability to provide care for feral cats within our facility. We do have a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cats living on owned property in Latah County. The program intends to reduce feline infectious diseases and homeless cat births in our region, by providing feral cats with vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, and ear-tips for identification.
• Why can’t I bring my animal to the Humane Society of the Palouse if I live outside of Latah County? HSoP does not euthanize to make space. We do not have the capacity, space, or manpower to receive animals from outside of the agreed jurisdiction we have with the City of Moscow and Latah County. We recommend contacting the shelter that services your county and they may be able to help.

Volunteering FAQs

Watch CBS News

Over 1,000 Columbine community members volunteer for day of service 25 years after school shooting

By Kennedy Cook

Updated on: April 20, 2024 / 7:18 PM MDT / CBS Colorado

Saturday marks 25 years since the tragedy at Columbine High School.

Members of the Columbine community gathered at a church in Denver to honor the victims Friday night.

On April 20, 1999, two teenagers killed 12 students and a teacher and wounded 24 other people.

At Friday night's vigil, gun safety advocate and former congresswoman Gabby Giffords spoke about preventing gun violence.

"We are living in challenging times," she said. "We're up for the challenge. My own recovery has taken years. Many, many, man people have helped me along the way and I learned so much. I learned if people work together progress is possible, the world is possible."

Saturday, the community came together for a day of service .

Governor's Ranch Elementary is one school that opened its doors to volunteers to help brighten things up.

These projects are helping to strengthen the community.

"Today is a new day at GRE," 13 students said in unison, some also using American Sign Language to communicate. "Everyone is welcome here."

These are words Governer's Ranch Racoons say they live by. And on Saturday morning, they opened their doors to the community for a day of service .

One volunteer who stopped by, 16-year-old Landon Scott, is a current student at Columbine.

She knows about the unimaginable tragedy that happened at her school 25 years ago and says it's had lasting effects.

"Even though we weren't alive to experience it, just with all we hear about it and how much it still affects us as students who go to the school, I think it's important to do all we can to help."

And Scott wasn't alone in lending a helpful hand; Over 1,000 Columbine students, teachers, families and community members scattered across Jefferson County for the eighth annual Columbine Day of Service.

"We're taping things off and painting some walls that haven't been touched in 35 years in this school," said GRE principal Ryan Lucas.

A fresh paint job is just one of the many community service projects throughout the county.

Lucas says it's these efforts that continue to strengthen a once frail community.

"Really good things happen when a lot of people come together to do good things together," Lucas said. "It's all about that community being together working together and it's all about having fun."

"It's such a great community and I feel like things like this help bring us together," Scott said.

Kennedy Cook is a reporter at CBS News Colorado. Read her latest reports or check out her bio and send her an email .

Featured Local Savings

More from cbs news.

STEM School Highlands Ranch students prepare to give back to community

DIA will no longer have a 24/7 TSA security checkpoint option

5 arrested after allegedly stealing $30,000 worth of merchandise

Family of school kidnap suspect pleads for more mental health resources

City of Philadelphia

• An official website of the City of Philadelphia government
• Here's how you know
• An official website
• Feedback and support
• The latest news + events

Highlighting the Office of Children and Families Volunteers in light of National Volunteer Week

April 21-27 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and the Office of Children and Families would like to thank all volunteers who devote their time and energy to serving our communities. 

To celebrate, we are highlighting a couple of volunteers who positively impact the lives of our youth and families across Philadelphia communities. Learn what motivates our volunteers to participate in community service and impact the lives of others!

Shirley Parson 

Shirley Parson has been volunteering in her community for as long as she can remember. One day, she was in line at the Community School Gompers Food Giveaway and saw the need for help, so she asked the Community School Coordinator, Rennier Parker, if she could be of service. 

“He said yes, so really, the rest is history, and I’ve been there ever since,” Parson said. 

For about six months now, Parson has been at the school every Wednesday, helping to give away free food items to community members. 

“Rain or shine, snow, sleet, whatever, we’re there,” Parson said.

Her inspiration comes from knowing she is making a difference in someone’s life. 

“Also showing them that I am here for them and that I care,” said Parson. “Volunteering has really taught me to see the bright side because there are many difficult situations surrounding us.” 

Lisa Teixeira

Lisa Teixeira moved to Philadelphia in 2023 and has volunteered with the Philly Reading Coaches program since January. Upon her move, Teixeira looked for volunteer opportunities where she could make a difference in her community and work with youth in some capacity. 

While scrolling on social media, she came across Philly Reading Coaches, learned about Community Schools, and knew this opportunity would be a perfect fit! Teixeira was placed at Southwark School, which is within walking distance of her residence. 

“It’s a local school, and I get to help children love reading, become literate, and make connections,” said Teixeira. “This is such a win-win opportunity. It’s like the job description was written for me, and I was excited to become involved.”

Teixeira encourages individuals thinking about volunteering to sign up to be a Philly Reading Coach!  

“Do it,” Teixeira said. “It’s very personally satisfying. You’re making a difference in the lives of children. What could be more important? And it’s fun as well.” 

Many thanks to Parson and Teixeira for your time, dedication, and commitment to service, as well as to our other committed volunteers!

Community Schools are a partnership among the Office of Children and Families, the School District of Philadelphia, and the surrounding school communities. From supporting grocery giveaways to after-school programming, our volunteers are an integral part of our mission and help support the success of every student.

Are you also seeking volunteer opportunities with the Office of Children and Families? There are plenty of options to choose from, including:

• Becoming a Philly Reading Coach
• Serving as a Next Level Learning Tutor
• Volunteering at a Community School food pantry

Related posts

#ItsASummerThing 2024!

Supporting Stronger Families: Join us on April 27 for the Parent & Youth Resource Fair

Driving Hunger Away During Ramadan at Philadelphia Community Schools

Receive great stories from around the world directly in your inbox.

Stay up to date about Global Voices and our mission. See our Privacy Policy for details. Newsletter powered by Mailchimp ( Privacy Policy  and  Terms ).

• bahasa Indonesia

See all those languages up there? We translate Global Voices stories to make the world's citizen media available to everyone.

• What Is Global Voices?
• Partner with Global Voices
• Translation Services
• Arts & Culture
• Breaking News
• Citizen Media
• Development
• Digital Activism
• Economics & Business
• Environment
• Ethnicity & Race
• Freedom of Speech
• Human Rights
• Humanitarian Response
• International Relations
• Media & Journalism
• Migration & Immigration
• Photography
• War & Conflict
• Women & Gender

Russia: Moscow City and Its ‘Gastarbeiter’ (Photos)

Charles Ganske of Russia Blog goes up to the 35th floor of the Federation Tower and takes pictures of the Moscow City , “the largest construction project in Europe.” LJ user kunstkamera – journalist Yulia Vishnevetskaya – walks around the Moscow City down on the ground, photographing the people – Tajik gastarbeiter (migrant workers) – who are actually building the gigantic international business center , as well as their living quarters and makeshift praying areas right under Moscow's Third Ring beltway.

• Eastern & Central Europe

Support our work

Global Voices stands out as one of the earliest and strongest examples of how media committed to building community and defending human rights can positively influence how people experience events happening beyond their own communities and national borders.

Please consider making a donation to help us continue this work.

Recent Eastern & Central Europe Stories

Turning point? The ethnicization of social issues and what Indigenous communities think about it in Russia

Audio deepfakes and AI tricks threaten elections around the world

Jelena Milušić and Merima Ključo: Balkan soul expressed through music

Top world stories.

The denial of Palestinian childhood

‘Lobster gate’ in Turkey sparks conversation about economic inequality

Presidential elections in Venezuela: Less free than ever

Start the conversation.

Authors, please log in »

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

Subscribe to comments on this post via email

• All comments are reviewed by a moderator . Do not submit your comment more than once or it may be identified as spam.
• Please treat others with respect . Comments containing hate speech, obscenity, and personal attacks will not be approved.

Global Voices is supported by the efforts of our volunteer contributors, foundations, donors and mission-related services. For more information please read our Fundraising Ethics Policy .

Special thanks to our many sponsors and funders .

Please support our important work:

-->