By Renee Mak
Editor, the Gauntlet,
Back at the University of Calgary I used to volunteer three times a week with different campus organizations, yet never felt like it was enough to me.
It never ceases to amaze me when people ask me not only why I volunteer so much, but why I do it at all. We live in a country which is economically well off and many of us in university live a rather unburdened life–whether financial or otherwise–yet so many of us are either selfish or apathetic and sometimes both.
It should be the responsibility of all to help out when they can, especially those who don’t have as much burden in their life as others. It really takes no effort at all and the benefits are so much more rewarding than the time you put in.
Students, of all people, should understand that others sometimes need help. Maybe you don’t have the time to volunteer. We’re all students and we all have busy schedules, but the least students could do is to take the time to educate themselves on the issues that are out there. And if you’re too busy (or lazy) to volunteer a measly hour-and-a-half a week, the least you could do is open your purse strings and donate a few cents during the Holiday Food Drive or something. It helps more than you probably know.
Renee Mak