Today, young people aren’t exactly a keystone part of the economy. Less mouths to feed, fewer clothes to buy…it would make sense if adults got along just fine without them. But what people don’t always take into account are the thousands of businesses, even here in Canada, which are owned and operated by young people. And the majority of them are volunteer. Pretty virtuous in my opinion. Sure, money’s always good to have on hand for that shopping spree weekend in Kelowna or your ticket in to a new movie, but it doesn’t give you the same satisfaction as knowing you’re the one behind saving the lives of stray dogs or educating the under-privileged children. Summer camps and animal rescue teams are popular themes with young people. So what is it that makes the concept of “volunteer work” so appealing? Maybe it makes us feel good about ourselves. A self-esteem boost here and there never hurt. Realizing that I’m doing my small part to uplift my community would be my main reason for volunteering. Picking up discarded trash along the highway or even in our lake would definitely be a rewarding experience. Knowing that not only was I purifying the appearance of my town, but also that of environments and the animals that reside within them. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my Monday morning, except perhaps, not at school.