CW Stars Helping in the Coast - Zap2it
I have heard many references to the younger generation and their willingness to volunteer. America’s teens possess unbridled passion and energy. In addition they can utilize technology in a far more effective way than their parents’ generation.
So I did a little digging, and here is what I found. According to a 2005 survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Corporation for National and Community Service, 55% of young people ages 12-18 volunteer their time for a cause. That is almost double the adult volunteer rate of only 29%.
And they are using their prowess with technology to make that number even higher. The website dosomething.org offers teens a forum to create, post, and participate in any number of worthy causes. Teens can choose what to support, who to work with, and how much time they want to commit. Then the site will let them know of teen-sponsored opportunities from around the country that fit their criteria.
And how are they helping to clean up the BP oil spill mess? They have come out in force on a number of fronts.
Dosomething.org has a project posted for the Gulf Coast oil spill. Teens can access information covering the background of the spill as well as ways that they can help. The project page provides a description of the work to be done, an action plan that can be followed, as well as phone numbers and websites for donations.
On a second front, teen CW stars are also actively involved in rallying teens to the cause. One star from “Vampire Diaries”, Ian Somerhalder, actively tweets to keep his fans informed of breaking news on the Gulf Coast restoration effort. Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols from “One Tree Hill” fame have recently set up their own Twitter accounts that they use to keep fans informed. Going one step further, Bush and Nichols toured Grand Isle personally. Although they were denied access to areas damaged by BP’s oil spill, they continue to tell the story of destruction spread throughout the Gulf. In fact, Sophia Bush recently announced that if she won the 2010 Teen Choice Award for which she has been nominated, she would auction off her surfboard trophy to benefit victims of the Gulf Coast oil spill.
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And finally, teens everywhere are acting on their own to raise money for the victims of the BP oil spill. Meagan Bethel from Tuscon Arizona is a shining example of this young generation. She has started a Coins for the Coast campaign in her own home town. Meagan is collecting donations door-to-door and from across the country to benefit charities helping Gulf Coast wildlife threatened by the BP oil spill.
What a stellar example today’s teens have provided for older Americans. These young people have been raised in an atmosphere of abundance, yet they actively are giving back to those in need. We need to heed their call to action. We need to let their example motivate us to become involved. I am proud of our youth. I hope to be as proud of my own peers as we navigate this disaster.
