By Kate Seegraves

Growing up today is at best a juggling act, filled with social, educational and familial obligations. As kids get older, they find their calendars increasingly filled with sports practice, school activities, work and more.

Still, many kids find time to volunteer. According to the National Youth Survey, 92 percent of young people say “volunteering locally to help people directly” is an effective way to make change. What’s more, many more would get involved if family members, teachers, coaches and friends helped them – the Young People’s Involvement Survey from Princeton Survey Research says youths who learn about community-based organizations from someone they know are three times as likely as other youths to volunteer.

Dublin’s youth are no exception. Many local kids and teens make a special effort to use their time and talents to better their community, often as a family activity with parents and siblings. The result is a meaningful experience, with a powerful life lesson and family fun rolled into one.

Consider the VanVliet family. Parents Bob and Mara (Beihl) VanVliet and their four daughters – Elisabeth, 21, twins Laura and Stephanie, 19 and Rebecca, 13 – make volunteering a regular practice in their family, individually and as a unit. A favorite annual event is the Dublin Irish Festival, which has become a VanVliet tradition for nine years. The family has volunteered in different capacities at the event for years, from managing the Wee Folk Area to taking tickets. Their dedication has earned them recognition: in 2009, the twins were awarded the festival’s scholarship, while the family as a whole was presented with the Best of the Fest Family Award for its efforts.

Outside of the festival, Mara says they offer their time for other city events, such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and regularly volunteer through their church, which includes an annual mission trip. Family members also make it a point to give blood whenever possible, and Bob and Elisabeth have worked on Habitat for Humanity projects, as well.

“It’s a great way to give back to the community,” she says. “We always try to teach the girls to help others. It’s a great way to broaden their social experiences and their leadership skills, and it helps show the community that we care.”

Even though three of the VanVliet kids are away at college, the family still tries to prioritize volunteering together.

“Volunteering is very important to all of us, so we try to make time in our busy lives to accomplish something,” says Elisabeth. “When all six of us can spend time together that is special, and when we can give back to our community while spending time together, it is even better.”

Another Dublin family that makes the volunteer effort is the McCollum family. Betsy, her husband Greg and their oldest two sons – Miles, 14, Sam, 12 – participate regularly in City of Dublin events, especially those dealing with the parks and the environment (their son Curtis, 3, sometimes accompanies his family to volunteer events, but is too young to participate). They volunteer during the Dublin Division of Police’s annual Bike Rodeo, which is held during the summer, and orchestrate the bicycle recycling and collection program, which collects old, unwanted bikes to be refurbished and donated to those in need.

Miles and Sam have also participated in the shoe recycling program at the Dublin Community Recreation Center, and the kids assist Greg at the Lions Club annual pancake breakfast before the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The family hasn’t gone without notice: in 2009 Sam received a Community Champion Award from the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Dublin City Schools. These awards are given to kids in fourth through 12th grades and staff in the Dublin schools who exemplify the best of volunteerism, character, leadership and compassion.

Betsy says she hopes volunteering has imparted the importance of living a good life on her sons.

“I really want them to be better men,” she says. “I want them to be caring and compassionate and respectful of other people. It makes you feel very proud.”

The lessons haven’t been lost on her kids. Miles and Sam agree they’ve learned a lot from the time they’ve spent in their community.

“It makes us feel good,” Miles says. “It makes you realize what you have.”

According to the Stephanie VanVliet, volunteering also has made her realize how unique her community really is.

“Many of Dublin’s events focus on both children and adults,” she says. “Volunteering in these events has taught me that Dublin values the idea of family and community. I think this is something that makes Dublin really special.”

“We have met so many people who are now great friends with us,” adds Rebecca. “We have learned about the diversities of people living in Dublin (as well).”

Bob and Mara both say they hope their daughters will continue to volunteer when they’re adults. According to Laura, that objective seems highly feasible.

“I will definitely continue volunteering throughout the rest of my life,” she says. “It has become an integral part of my character.”

Kate Seegraves is editor of Dublin Life.

BONUS: Did you know?
National Volunteer Week is April 18-25. If you’re interested in volunteering in Dublin – with your family or on your own – visit these Web sites for more information:

City of Dublin: www.dublin.oh.us/volunteer  
Welcome Warehouse: www.welcomewarehouse.org  
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium: www.columbuszoo.org  
Dublin Food Pantry: www.dublinfoodpantry.org
Dublin Arts Council: www.dublinarts.org/aboutdac/volunteer.html  
Dublin Counseling Center: www.dublincounselingcenter.org  

More volunteer opportunities around Dublin and Central Ohio can be found at www.dublin.oh.us/volunteer/otheropportunities.