Student Stories: The Meaning of Community Service

Editor’s Note: OSPI aims to elevate the authentic experiences of the students in Washington’s K–12 public schools. This story was written by a Washington state high school student participating in OSPI’s Student Stories Program. The author’s opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints do not necessarily reflect those of OSPI, and publication of this story does not constitute OSPI’s approval or endorsement of its contents. With questions, please contact OSPI’s Communications team at commteam@k12.wa.us. 

At my school in Bellevue School District, one of our graduation requirements is completing at least 40 hours of community service. Along with the diploma, my school also gives a certificate each year if students turn in their volunteering time logs (100 hours) from approved non-profit organizations.  

This was the conversation that led me to think about what community service means to me. 

I was in the classroom one Saturday morning as usual, surrounded by 2nd–5th grade kids. 

“Rich? I do have some jingly coins from a vending machine after buying a bag of salt and vinegar chips, but why?”  

“Because you already have a job in high school.”  

“This is volunteering!”  

“What's that?”  

“Spending your time for others!”  

“Why in the world would you do that?” a 3rd grade girl asked with her eyebrows furrowed. 

It was true that I needed much more than my five words to include all the values and meanings of community service. From here, our lighthearted conversation got deeper. 

Why do we want to help others? Why do we feel good after being a helping hand for others? Why would I pull myself up to Korean School instead of sleeping in on a precious Saturday morning? I enjoy the connections interacting with the kids and dancing together. There is also a rewarding feeling of being a help to my community with what I have. I was thinking of ways to explain why volunteering matters in our lives to this friend. 

Since middle school, community service has been a central part of my life. It is how I understand my community on a deeper level and connect with others of all ages, backgrounds, and various lifestyles. Here are some of my experiences from community service I would like to share today.  

Boys and Girls Club 

One of the rewarding days was being the first friend to a 5-year-old child who was having her first day at the summer camp. That day in the gym, I was pulling the scooter boards surrounded by children waiting for their turn. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their time. Then I saw one girl sitting in the gym alone, looking at the small figure she brought from home.  

When I went up to her, she whispered to me that she was missing her mom and dad. I sat next to her and asked questions to get to know her. As she started to open up about herself, we talked about her small figure and started to walk around to look for activities to join. After lunch, she asked me if I could hold her hand during the movie. Holding our hands together, I was delighted that I could help her feel more secure and at ease in the new environment. It was rewarding that I could help make her first experience more pleasant and see her smile during craft time later in the day. 

UNICEF Club 

This sense of connection and positive feeling also surged during my fundraiser at the UNICEF club at my school. Through emails, posters, and videos, we helped bring people’s minds together around a common cause of helping children during the ongoing war.  

People filled donation jars with dimes and nickels with some coins from other countries like Egypt and Canada. I thought they embody the idea that the heart of community service is not on what we have but how we can give. 

Collectively, we could make a difference. In the end, we raised around $7,000. Every dime and dollar people collectively searched for in their wallets to put into the jars was proven meaningful. Regardless of how much we raised, it was evident that we could be a help where needed whether it is providing children with medicine or ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). Additionally, we did achieve one important milestone: raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis. While the donations will be used to help the children, the connections and empathy for others will last.  

Korean Communities  

Part of my week is spent on translation for Korean communities. I translate weekly school newsletters for Korean families who are more comfortable in Korean or might be interested in reading them in Korean. Another project that I had an opportunity to contribute to was translating and proofreading the book written by the Federation of Korean American Association to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Korean American history. 

While I was deleting and rewriting to figure out the best way to put the words with the changes in nuances, I could not only be a communication bridge for many people but also learn more about Korean American history. I appreciate their effort to bring Korean culture to where they lived and hope to also contribute to preserving and celebrating Korean culture. 

From the salmon hatchery at Issaquah to non-profit child programs to hosting fundraisers/community events to online humanitarian projects and so forth, I learned how I could always find ways to help and realize the different needs in my community. 

Whenever I dedicate my time to others, at the end of the day, I always find myself achieving much more than my to-do list of work with rewarding moments, connections, and memories.  

Volunteering is far more than fulfilling the graduation requirement. During almost 300 hours of community service from freshman year, it has been an uplifting experience for me to meet people of all ages, hear their life stories, and feel the warmth of connection building between us. I appreciate the opportunity to be part of their stories and create new memories with them. 

About the Author 

Sein Kim (she/her) was born in South Korea and is in 10th grade in the Bellevue School District. She is interested in writing, psychology, chemistry, neuroscience, and more. She loves to work with children and motivate them through volunteering at various organizations. She is also involved in her school’s UNICEF Club to advocate for humanitarian aid for children around the world. Outside of school, Sein can be found playing the violin, writing, making Google Slides presentations, and spending time with her family. She hopes to inspire others through her writing.