With the weeks left until the end of the semester dwindling down rapidly, some things may have gone overlooked during your college experience so far. One thing for me is being an active part in the community.

For anybody, that can mean a wide array of different things. It can mean you’re a prominent member in the society, or you have a presence there with whatever work you do, or volunteer work to help better the town you live in.

For me, it comes down to helping out. I know for the community I live in back home, every Thanksgiving break I help out my old Boy Scout troop with volunteer work throughout the community.

Giving back to the community that has raised and nurtured you for most of your life shouldn’t be something explained, but instead should be inherent. But, be it as it may, I’m saying it.

Helping the town that you live in is a good thing, and it seems to only come up during the holiday season.

That’s when the Salvation Army is stocked to the brims with Santas, holstered with their bells and buckets for donations. That’s when food pantries and soup kitchens have lines of volunteers wrapping around the bend, people ready to fill their yearly quota of good work.

But instead, try not to only base your work during the time when it is seemingly expected of you. 

Tis the season and all that I understand, but do work for your community, your fellow person based on your personal beliefs.

Being motivated by the holidays is a good incentive to get involved with helping out those who are less fortunate, however, it shouldn’t be your only incentive.

While in college, I, of course, have fallen a bit off the path and really only get around to helping the times I visit home for an extended period, but it should be a thought that occurs to you.

The only way a community survives, thrives, is by the people that work together to help out. Enlisting Eastern’s Volunteer Services as a starting point is a great way to figure out opportunities on how to help out while in Charleston.

Helping hands are always needed, and it should be an inherent value to want to support the people in your community.

Don’t be afraid of jumping into something new like this. You could find it is worth it, and find a new passion.

Don’t let the upcoming holidays be the only time you feel obligated to help out. Caring for one another is a year round responsibility.  

Bob Galuski is a seniour journalism and English major. He can be reached at 581-7912 or [email protected]