The Story

Making Time for Service

Aug. 22, 2008 | By Lamar Shambley, DSJ Guest Columnist

“So, you’ve been struggling and working hard all semester. Spring break is for a vacation. Why are you volunteering for your free time? I don’t get it!” To be honest, I don’t know if I get it either.

Approximately 75 percent of William & Mary students have participated in one or more community service projects, which isn’t very surprising. Some students do community service as a résumé booster, others as a sort of life-improving experience. But should it matter why a person does community service? Community service is always effective, right?

Well… not really.

The College does a great job of challenging students to achieve more than academic success. Although we are all here for the rigorous academic curriculum, it is up to us to determine how much we grow as people outside of the classroom.

In my humble opinion, through any well-constructed service project, a student is truly able to find out his place in the world. Community service should be a two-way strengthening program: the volunteer helps the community, and also takes what he has learned to apply it to improve his life and the lives of others.

In my middle school, community service was mandatory. At that age, many of the students never understood why we absolutely had to go to these places to volunteer, but it instilled a sense of involvement with the local community, a “the world does not revolve around you” type of idea. We were lucky enough to be a part of a well-established institution - so why not give back?

For me, it’s the same concept in college. Just think about it. In some weird way, attending college comes with owning up to being a little bit selfish. We pay to take classes that are devoted to our own interests. We’re primarily concerned for our own welfare as students. Community service is the perfect way to outwardly show what we’ve learned through our studies in the university.

For some people, community service is simply a staple to everyday life as a “middle-class” citizen.

A good friend of mine, Alexandra Kyerematen, said, “Community service was always something my parents talked about. My parents made it a priority that I remain grateful for what I have, and to give back to the less fortunate. I feel as if it’s almost my job as a human being to help others.”

During spring break last year, I had the opportunity to volunteer at homeless shelters and soup kitchens in Washington, D.C. with William & Mary’s “Alternative Spring Break” program.

To be honest, I’m not the best cook out there. As a matter of fact, I’d say that my kitchen skills are somewhat below par, but the chefs at D.C. Central Kitchen were extremely kind and down to earth and helped me overcome my shortcomings as a cook.

Right after she threatened to beat me up because of my lack of skills in the kitchen, Chef Dorothy from D.C. Central Kitchen told me, “You can’t slice. You can’t peel onions. And you’re slow. But you’re trying, I guess. And I’m sure the hundreds of people thank you for your work. Now go get the yams out of the oven before I punch you in the throat.”

Then she smiled.

Talk about tough love.

When asked why he is heavily involved in service, D.C. trip leader Kristian Obcemane said, “I really like to meet people and learn from different people’s experiences. I feel there’s a lot to learn when I get that direct contact with people and see into their own perspective…through service, you can see through a certain lens that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to otherwise.”

In January, I volunteered in the Dominican Republic with my international service group, Student Organization for Medical Outreach and Sustainability (SOMOS). Since this was my first time in a different country, I felt somewhat scared about being in a brand new place.

The very first day of our clinic, a lady walked around to each of the William and Mary students, clasped her hands and repeatedly said, “¡Que Dios te bendiga!” This means “May God bless you!”

Not only did her simple gesture make my trip worth it, but it also reassured me that volunteering affects people deeper than I’d thought.

So to all the freshmen (and upperclassmen), I implore that you give back to the community by becoming involved in a domestic or international service project. In all honesty, there will never be a correct choice of words to describe how it feels knowing that you have the power to improve someone’s life.

College is such a pivotal moment in our lives. We meet people that change our lives. We take classes that will change our lives. In a matter of four years we grow into and become more knowledgeable.

Take advantage of it. Make a difference in other people’s lives as the College has done for you.



Lamar Shambley is a guest opinions contributor to The DSJ. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff.


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