This year, America turns 250 years old. Do you live in the United States? If so, are you feeling extra patriotic?

Patriotism isn’t just something you feel, though. It’s also something you do. What better way to be a patriot than to care for your country—while working together with your neighbors?

Pick up trash. Plant trees. Create gardens. 

When you do that kind of work without pay, we call it volunteering. The problem: Not as many people volunteer as once did.

A group called America Gives hopes to fix that. Its members try to get more people to help out. Especially young people . . . like you! America Gives has one big goal: Get more people to volunteer than ever before.

To participate, people promise to do volunteer services. They keep track of their volunteer time.

The nation’s 250th anniversary is a good time to look back at America’s history. But it’s also a good time to look ahead. “We strongly believe that this is as much about the future as it is the past,” says Rosie Rios. She chairs the America250 commission created by Congress for the anniversary. “Especially this next generation, we want to give them something to believe in.”

Young people often want to serve others. But many don’t know where to start. Also, they’re busy. So how can adults encourage them to get involved?

Here are some ideas. Focus on high schools. In many high schools, kids already have to serve their communities to graduate. Find activities whole families can do together—even little children. Don’t make one-time volunteers. Make lifetime volunteers who habitually serve others. Encourage kids to volunteer in small ways as well as big ways.

Why? Young people can develop a heart for volunteering. God desires that we serve Him in word and in deed. That means action. 

Recommended Reading: For more about serving others well, read The Can Man by Laura E. Williams.