Volunteering is my superpower

Volunteering is something I like to do with my family. I like how we are able to meet, see and help other people. It’s a great way to lighten up people’s lives, especially during COVID.

I also think that there are plenty of different ways to volunteer. For example, after the derecho, my family and I were a part of delivering food boxes to those who got hit the hardest by the storm. The food boxes also helped people save money they needed to recover from the storm. Delivering them made me feel generous and happy.

In conclusion, I think that volunteering is a fun, kind and friendly way to show people you care. Ask your parent or guardian if you can volunteer today. It doesn’t have to be big; every little bit helps. Just start somewhere.

— Miles Roberts, age 10

It’s not hard to find a good superhero story, and there’s a reason why we’re drawn to it. We want to see good win in the end.

Both as an employee of United Way of East Central Iowa and as a parent, I believe that you — our friends, neighbors, and fellow Eastern Iowans — are our greatest superheroes, possessing unknown powers to do good in our community.

It doesn’t take superhuman strength, incredible speed or the ability to throw force fields to make a difference. Each of us has the superpower to volunteer and impact someone’s life. Experiencing this feeling together with your family creates lifelong bonds and naturally opens opportunity for conversations that might otherwise not happen.

During our different times of giving back, our kids have been exposed to people who live differently but experience the same hurts and fears we do. They have contributed, made a difference and felt the appreciation for lending a hand — before they ever have the ability to write a check.

They have experienced moments where they recognized that the world doesn’t revolve around them, and that they can play a role in making it brighter place for their neighbors. They have felt the satisfaction of knowing they did what was within their power and, at the same time, had fun.

That’s real life super powers producing good in the world that will stick with them throughout their lives.

It’s in the giving of ourselves to care for and support other people we don’t know that we show our biggest super powers. Please encourage the children in your life to volunteer today. For ideas on where to start, visit www.uweci.org/volunteer. As Miles says, “it doesn’t have to be big; every little bit helps.” Just start somewhere … and show your community your superpowers.

— Kristin Roberts, Miles’ mom

Miles Roberts is a fourth grader at Isaac Newton Christian Academy. Kristin Roberts is CEO and President of the United Way of East Central Iowa, which works to improve the education, financial stability and health of Iowans in Linn, Benton, Jones, Iowa and Cedar counties.