In Johnson County, we have access to clean water at the turn of a faucet. Families can afford a good meal every night. I wake up every morning with the same routine which includes the use of running water, electricity, toothpaste, a toothbrush, mouthwash, a hairbrush and makeup. We live in an extremely wealthy community and sometimes we don’t take the time to recognize how well we have it here. Many people do not appreciate our community enough.

It is important for us to give to others in places less fortunate then us. Teenagers need to gain a different perspective and realize that there are more important things than money, clothes and cars. Go to Harvesters on a Saturday morning with some friends and sort food, volunteer at a soup kitchen, donate a coat in a coat drive. There are many ways you can get out and give to others this holiday season. Volunteering and taking time to help others gives you the opportunity to really see how fortunate we are.

Giving back should be a priority for teenagers. We don’t know how well we have it until we go see life from a different perspective and experience it first hand. Doing a good deed for another person gives you much more satisfaction than you would get from buying yourself something. You are giving a less fortunate person or family a new reason to smile.
Seeing that not everyone in the world lives like we do and giving to others helps us appreciate what we have more. Most residents of Johnson County do not see beyond the easy lives that we live. Not only does it give us a sense of appreciation, it is simply the right thing to do.