Seventy. Five. That’s how many volunteer hours are required in order to graduate from North Atlanta High School. Over the course of the four years, students must get 75 community service hours from an organization or event. The criteria is specific, with only certain organizations and events counting towards community service. So, a problem that many have faced is where to look for opportunities in the first place: Where do they sign up? Do they need their parents or a waiver? While there are some apps to try and rectify this problem, there’s still the question of where some of the best places to volunteer are.
One common place to volunteer is in North Atlanta itself with the ever growing number of clubs. Clubs like the Future Business Leaders of America, National Beta Club, and the Environmental Club offer their members the opportunity to volunteer numerous times throughout the school year. For example, the Environmental Club partners with Trees Atlanta, an organization close to the school, for activities such as removing invasive plants and planting well…trees! However, being a member in these clubs requires a level of commitment outside of regular school hours, typically right at the end of the day. A student in the school musical needs to stay after school multiple times for multiple hours as the musical’s rehearsal progresses. This is the same for helping a teacher with their workload, as this would have to be either during their planning period or after school. Likely it would entail putting up decorations or manning a table during lunch. “You can ask teachers if they need any help,” Fletcher Pontz said, “Don’t do all of your volunteering over the summer.”
There are also plenty of volunteering opportunities in the surrounding community. Many churches offer hours to decorate, watch over kids, or help with mass in Catholic churches. Camps over break also offer opportunities for counselors or lifeguards. Local organizations like the Atlanta Humane Society and Atlanta Food Bank have constant volunteer shifts. Options are out there, and it’s important to look near friends, family, or the local community for these volunteer opportunities. “Do your research, and make sure that your activities are approved ahead of time,” Alexandria Daniels said.
It is difficult to get so many community service hours, especially with a tight schedule. There are so many avenues to take with how and where to divide time to volunteer. Time to research, sign up, and complete the work are factors necessary to take into consideration. However, with a general idea of where to start, it is an overall easier process knowing that the next opportunity is not that far away. 75 hours is a lot, but with the right planning and commitment, it is more than doable. (460)
