The Benefits of Community Service Essay examples -- Service-Learning E

In 2010, â€Å"over 20 billion hours of volunteer service were reported† in the United States (Hoffman 418). For such an outstanding amount of time, only 26.7% of the population reported volunteer hours (Hoffman 418-9). Philanthropy, a desire to improve the material, social, and spiritual welfare of humanity, especially through charitable activities, is dependent on the altruistic values of the American society. Philanthropy is a general love for all of humanity that manifests itself in the form of community service. Altruism is the foundation of volunteering; volunteering is the foundation of community service, and community service is the foundation of charity. Altruism is the belief that acting for the benefit of others is right and good. Volunteering is the act of doing work out of choice, out of free will, and altruistic people feel joyous when serving the community. The importance of volunteering comes from giving up time to help a charity or the community. Community service can be vital to keeping connected to others that are in the same area. August John Hoffman, professor of psychology at California State University Northridge, believes â€Å"Community service work and civic engagement are described here as any voluntary activity performed by community members for the overall improvement of the community and society† (418). Charity can take many forms; it can be donations of money, goods, or time, and time is the most valuable asset a person has to offer. It is not easy to convinc e people to give up their precious time for community service; however, people should take part in community service because it elevates the community and has a positive impact it has on both the helped and the volunteer. It is no secret that community... ...ring Students in a Service-Learning Clinical Supervision Experience: An Educational Case Report.† Physical Therapy 91.10 (2011): 1513-1524. Academic rch Complete. Web. 9 Apr. 2012. Martin, Mary Beth. Personal interview. 20 Apr. 2012. Romano, Joyce C, Geraldine Gallagher, and Sanford C Shugart. â€Å"More than an Open Door: Deploying Philanthropy to Student Access and Success in American Community College.† New Directions for Student Services 130 (2010): 55-70. Academic rch Complete. Web. 9 Apr. 2012. Sukiennik, Diane, William Bendat, and Lisa Raufman. The Career Fitness Program: Exercising Your Options. 9th ed. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. Vogel, Amanda ] L, and Sarena D Seifer. â€Å"Impacts of Sustained Institutional Participation in Service-Learning.† Gateways: International Journal of Community Research & Engagement 4 (2011): 186-202. Academic rch Complete. Web. 9 Apr. 2012.