The concept of voluntary work intended to help others is certainly not a new idea; people have been attempting to better their communities for ages… and why shouldn’t we?  The broad topic of “community service” can span from easier tasks like donating cans, to participating in a beach cleanup, to even starting your own organization or charity event, and an infinite amount of options in between.  The opportunities to make an impact are abundant, and we are encouraged to take them as often as we have a chance. Interestingly, this surge of awareness surrounding the necessity of volunteer work seems to be more crucial and impending than ever, and it’s not difficult to see why.  According to a study conducted by DoSomething.org, Fastweb, and JPMorganChase in 2011, “70 percent of admissions officers prefer students to be consistently involved with one issue over a variety of causes.”  It’s not a secret that colleges are looking for a kid who is willing to devote time and energy to something they feel strongly about. The questions that seem to arise from this information, however, are more subjective.  Does volunteer work truly define a student’s nature?  Furthermore, if all community service is beneficial, then why should a student be pushed to pick one particular type of service? At Pine Crest, we are lucky to have a wide breadth of service opportunities, and a surprisingly high amount of students who have even begun their own organizations and/or charity events.  Julia Sabra, a junior who organized the Winter Charity Concert last school year, works in a special-need pre-school in Fort Lauderdale.  Julia states, “Colleges care about community service because it shows character.  Colleges want well-rounded individuals who, ultimately, can help make a difference in the world.  By involving yourself in community service, colleges see that you are already helping others and making a difference… personally, I get a lot of enjoyment out of helping others.  Knowing that I can make even a small difference in someone’s life inspires me!  A little bit of help can go a long way.” This idea of a little bit of help going a long way can be related back to the less hands-on acts of community service, such as participating in a food drive or donating clothing.  While some may argue that these small acts are quite negligible in the grand scheme of volunteer work, students are willing to contend that they are just as important.  Bella Polley, also a junior, volunteers at Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options.  “Many students, especially at Pine Crest, find themselves busy all the time.  Not everyone has the time to be actively involved with a service project.  I think even a small gesture of helping out, like handing in items, definitely counts.” It’s hard to argue this when we are aware that these donated items will, indeed, go to someone in need. Isn’t that the quintessence of aiding one’s community?  Regardless of the unavoidable association between community service and college acceptance, it is important to step back and realize that it doesn’t matter how you help.  Like Julia and Bella said, loving a particular community service project and having time for it is great.  But at the same time, small acts can have an equally positive influence on lives; and that is what really counts.