 By John Solberg, Rawhide Executive Director
Every time a gift comes to Rawhide it is multiplied in many ways. Not only does it provide for the care, education, job training, and treatment of young men who need a second chance, it benefits other worthy organizations that require service volunteers to provide much-needed labor to those experiencing hardship.
Each year Rawhide youth provide over 6,000 hours of community service work, free of charge, to nonprofits that assist people in meeting their needs. Oftentimes Rawhide youth are recognized with special awards such as the Salvation Army Co-Stars Award they received this past month for sacrificial volunteer efforts. I am convinced that when youth learn the value of giving to others at their time of need, they also recognize their own potential and increase their desire to be a positive influence on others.
Spencer, pictured above, shared his thoughts upon receiving the award on behalf of his peers who volunteered at a Christmas toy and food distribution in December. He said, “I am glad I did it. It was nice to see those gifts go to families who couldn’t afford to buy them.” In the recent past, Rawhide has received other recognition awards and certificates of appreciation for refurbishing affordable housing, responding to individuals who are victims of storm damage, helping with public works projects, repairing shorelines to promote fishing habitats, assisting at community events, building picnic benches, and replacing a roof for a deployed soldier. This is a small example of the type of service projects that Rawhide youth respond to.
Upon receiving the Co-Stars Award at a recent dinner program, another Rawhide youth, Miguel, stated, “It was an honor to get an award from the Salvation Army. Out of all the volunteers it was cool they picked us.” Your support allows us the opportunity to provide real-world service projects that teach young men like Miguel the difference they can make in another person’s life. Evidence tells us that youth who engage in regular community service are far less likely to repeat negative behaviors.
You can be assured that your support touches many lives and demonstrates the power of giving back to others, which makes you a Co-Star too!
Photo caption: Miguel (left) and Spencer (right) represented a group of Rawhide student volunteers that received the 2009 Salvation Army Co-Stars Award on May 12th. |
