The Fountain of Youth

Attention, teens everywhere – put down your xBox360s for a sec and listen to me:

You rule.

Honest, the world eats out of your hand. I saw for myself last month when two 14-year-olds girls, two best friends both named Sarah, gift-wrapped holiday presents with me at a major bookstore chain (volunteer contributions went to a local non-profit). As soon as they arrived, customers magically appeared at the table, innately attracted to their giggles and youthful exuberance. I resisted the urge to jump in, take over and launch a gift-wrapping system with all the efficiency and precision of a military operation. Instead, I stood aside, in awe of the two Sarahs’ naïve power.

Sarah S, whose braces are off by now, was already closing in on six feet in height and a runway model waiting to be discovered. Sarah K, with her Greek-Iranian heritage, embodied genetic perfection. The customers were enchanted by their innate sweetness and eagerness to please, which tumbled out of them as naturally as playful puppies. Grandmas likened them to their own granddaughters, middle-aged fathers imagined their own little girls and college guys hung around and ask silly questions long after their gifts were wrapped. (When I suggested the college guys might be flirting with them, they protested in stereo, “Eeeeuw, they were like, twenty!”). I have no doubt that without them, the donation jar for the gift-wrap service would have held substantially fewer dollar bills.

The two Sarahs volunteered as part of a civics class requirement. “Aha!” you say, “they had to do it!” Yes, but consider this: Sarah S didn’t have to have her last birthday party at a homeless shelter, and the two Sarahs didn’t have to be cheerful and sincere that Thursday afternoon.

So, teens of America, face it: you mesmerize us. There’s something about youthful enthusiasm that’s hypnotic. When we see you wrap gifts for charity, collect canned good for food drives and feed kitties at the animal shelter, you give us hope. You’re telling us that America’s future is in good hands, people still care about each other and everything’s going to be all right in the end.

Now, visualize the Sarahs’ effect as a force multiplier throughout the country. What would America be like if all of you teens and tweens out there volunteered? What if all of you found something that you loved to do – that you couldn’t wait to do – that made your community better? Imagine the power you’d hold over the rest of us.

Now, that’s a reason to get out and give back.

Jane Hess is a free-lance writer. You can send your comments to getoutandgiveback@hotmail.com