April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Lindsay's a veteran at veterinary volunteering
High school freshman Lindsay Rickmyre is required to volunteer 12 hours of community service a year as a school requirement. To date, she's logged 87 hours.
The student from Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady looks upon community service as a learning experience rather than a burden.
"Every day, I learn something new," she said of her volunteer efforts at Guilderland's Animal Hospital. "It's introducing me to what I want to do. I've learned a lot, like prioritizing."
Vet-eran volunteer
Each Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. Lindsay can be found assisting at the veterinary office. Her duties include walking and caring for the dogs, washing surgical instruments, cleaning up after appointments, counting pills and general office work. She's also been able to observe appointments and watch as animals have been stitched up.While many young people who like animals aspire to be vets when they grow older, it is common for them to change their mind after they see the work involved. Not Lindsay. She has found through volunteering that she is even more committed to this career.
"I definitely want to be a vet," she said. "I see what they do to help the animals and it's very much what I want to do."
School program
The community service program at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons began in September 1995. Last year, more than 7,300 hours of service were provided by the junior and senior high students there."At the very heart of our mission statement, and as the centerpiece of our Community Service Program, ND-BG is a community longing to make a difference," said Linda Neidl, campus minister at the school. "We desire that our students will grow in awareness of the needs of the world around them, in skills requisite for responding to those needs, and in taking the initiative to apply themselves with compassion to the service of others."
Time and talent
Service is provided to community organizations outside of school hours. The students are encouraged to use their time and talents to assist in the home, school, church, neighborhood, work place or on a national or global scale. In the past, retreat leaders, Albany Diocesan Drug Education Ministry peer leaders and representatives to the New York State Catholic Conference Public Policy Forum have received credit for their work. Other service has been provided to Catholic Charities agencies and other community groups.Through community service, the faculty and staff at the school hope students will experience an increase in self-esteem and self-confidence, gain organizational and time management skills, and like Lindsay, acquire insights about career interests.
Most importantly, Mrs. Neidl said, students learn about the Christian mandate to love one another.
"Kids often feel that to love our neighbor means we feel good about everyone," she explained. "Through the service program, we show them that love is an action to show care. It's what you do, not how they feel."
Sharing insights
As part of the program, students are assigned to small groups with a faculty mentor. These groups meet on a regular basis to share their insights and answer questions.A service honor roll recognizes students who have completed or exceeded the service requirement, and other surprise rewards -- such as occasional dress-down days -- recognize the students' work.
Last year, Lindsay was impressed by the trophy given to the student with the most volunteer hours. As she started her service, she had her eyes on the trophy.
"I wanted to get the trophy," she reported. "But then I realized it's not about competing; it's about what you do."
More hours
Lindsay's volunteer efforts include more than just the hours at the Animal Hospital. In the summers, she volunteers in the Guilderland Park system. This summer will be her fourth year of volunteering in the Learn to Swim program where she assists swimming instructors.These two efforts, which put her in touch with nature, mesh well with her faith.
"I'm helping all of God's creatures," said Lindsay, a parishioner at St. Madeleine Sophie Church in Guilderland. "All animals are part of God's creation."
Tough days
While volunteering has been a positive experience, there have been difficult moments. "The hard days are when they put an animal to sleep," she said. "Or the days when I see an animal suffering."Despite those moments, she is committed to staying at the office for as long as possible. The staff at the Animal Hospital would be happy if she stayed.
"She's been one of the most helpful volunteers," said Kathy Krauss of the Animal Hospital. "She's eager to do anything."
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