When my family started volunteering for Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels on Thanksgiving in 2023, I honestly didn’t want to do it. My mom signed us up, and my dad and I just went along with it. I was 12 years old and I remember thinking, “Why am I being forced to do this?” I wanted to hang out with my friends or watch my iPad. I’m now 15 and I’m really glad she made me do it.
Delivering meals to kūpuna showed me how different life can be for other people. Some don’t have family nearby, some can’t cook anymore and some can’t even drive to get groceries. I never really thought about these things. My favorite part is seeing them smile when I bring them their food. They also talk to me and ask me questions like how old I am, where I go to school and even if I play sports. Talking with them has helped me be able to talk to strangers and new people, which is something I have to learn to do. This experience made me learn to not only help others, but it is helping me grow, too.
I’ve started volunteering at my school office and library this summer. My mom signed me up because she said she needed more time to work instead of driving me all over the place. It turned out to be a lot of fun. I met new people, learned how to speak to staff, did office work and helped out the librarians. I am also collecting service points to go toward a service cord, a braided honor cord worn at graduation to recognize community service,
when I graduate from Moanalua High School. This is helping me get more volunteer hours that will look good on college applications and scholarships.
My mom always tells me that it’s better to give than to receive, but I mean… getting money is still pretty nice, not gonna lie! Next year, I will still volunteer, but I also want to get my first job. I love shopping and going out with my friends, and apparently I need to start paying for those things myself. Plus, I want to start saving for my future, maybe even for a house someday.
Even though I didn’t want to volunteer in the beginning, I’m really glad my mom made me do it. It turned out that this changed the way I see other people — and myself.
Lexie Arnold is a 10th grader at Moanalua High School and the daughter of GM Publisher Cynthia Arnold. She loves to dance and play softball, hang out with her friends and volunteer for organizations on the island.
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debra@generations808.com.
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