 |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
|
“People may not think they can affect the world or change it for the greater good. Volunteering provides a chance to cause change.”
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|---|
Debbie Gonzalez volunteers at a back-to-school event for Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. |
I volunteer because … “as a human being, I feel the obligation to help others in their time of need. We often depend upon strangers … men and women that work as policemen, firefighters, doctors and nurses.… Although people may not think that they can affect the world around them or change it for the greater good, volunteering provides a chance to cause change. …[For example,] strangers may perceive bums on the street as just lazy people that refuse to work. They judge them without knowing their situation. I believe in being the one that … asks the person coming to me for money, ‘What can I do to help you?’ I believe in changing the situation of others rather than simply complaining about it. I believe in making a difference.”
I joined the Action Team … “because it is a great way to cause change in our local communities. I often see people who have the desire to help others but don’t know how to approach the situation. … Being a leader of the Action Team allows me to provide a way for others to make a difference and, with that, bigger change.
“Volunteering with the Action Team Major League players from the Chicago Cubs has been an eye-opening experience…. For the players to share the reasons that motivate them to get involved encourages me to further pursue my purpose as an Action Team leader.”
How volunteering with the Action Team benefits me … “I aspire to be a judge and … I want to expose myself to the side of our world that we tend to ignore – people in tough circumstances. I also want to learn ways to help people in need. Besides making positive change, there are other personal benefits I receive. Some are learning to be a better leader, as well as gaining possible scholarships [for service work]. Both of these can help the progression of my lifelong dream.”
How I benefit my community as an Action Team Captain and volunteer … “I believe by looking for the problems that my community faces and searching for ways to fix the problems or satisfy needs.”
As an Action Team Captain, what I tell other teens to encourage them to volunteer … “I explain the concept of giving back to the community and that, together with others or even by yourself, one can make a difference. Many teens are motivated to get involved by the baseball players who support the Action Team. I also tell students that by participating in our projects, they are able to fulfill their high school service requirements. … It’s a great reference to have on one’s resume.”
My volunteer goals for this school year … “To recruit new volunteer members to expand the Action Team network… and to open my eyes and the eyes of those I lead [to local needs]; to gain leadership skills as well as a chance to earn a scholarship.”
What’s in my iPod … “I really love the dynamic sounds of salsa, bachata and reggaeton. … singers such as Toby Love, Marc Anthony, Arcangel, Jowel y Randy.”
Favorite baseball player . . . “I really like Alex Rodriguez as well as Derek Jeter.”
 |
|---|
With other new Chicago Action Team Captains, Debbie Gonzalez (bottom row, far left) attends a training event with the Chicago Cubs. |