United Way urges teens to volunteer
Jun 7, 2013, 5:00 AM | Updated: 5:00 am
PHOENIX — Summer is a great time for kids to learn the importance of volunteering.
Janet Garcia is the Vice President of Community Impact for the Valley of the Sun United Way. She recently spoke with some teenaged volunteers.
“I asked them if they enjoyed what they were doing, and their response was ‘Well it’s a lot better than sitting at home being bored,'” Garcia said.
Volunteering can make kids realize that they can make a difference in other people’s lives.
Garcia said if the parents join in, it can be quality family time.
“When parents volunteer together, it’s a great bonding opportunity,” Garcia said. “The kids see their parents modeling and it can be a whole lot of fun.”
Garcia said the Valley of the Sun United Way has a great way for teens to volunteer this summer by reading to smaller children.
“On our website, we have our million minutes volunteer reading challenge,” Garcia said. “You can go on there and find places to read and sign up to log your minutes and help us reach our million minute goal.”
The goal is to have teens and other volunteers read to smaller children for one million minutes this summer.
You can volunteer for the program at Valley of the Sun United Way.
