Giving back to the community is an important lesson at any age.
Especially for teenagers.
And it’s a lesson they learn throughout the year at Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
Meet a couple of “volunteens” who give back by running what’s called the Jolly Trolley.
15 year old Ana Ortiz pushes the Jolly Trolley cart down the halls of Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
“Jolly Trolley” she says.
The Jolly Trolley is a cart filled with goodies like candy, chips, fruits and sodas.
Mari Vasquez who works on the administrative wing of the hospital says “I look forward to the Jolly Trolley everyday. Don’t tell anybody”
Running the Jolly Trolley is one way teenagers can volunteer.
Ana Ortiz, who attends Carroll High School says “seeing everybody’s faces whenever we walk into each clinic or each area its rewarding.”
“Usually I’m just bored at home with nothing to do so I come here and I get to be part of the hospital atmosphere. That prepares me for what I want to do and I want to be in the medical field” Ortiz goes on to say.
Tristan Perez is a 17 year old from Flour Bluff High School. He says “usually over the summer, like years before, I would just sit around at home and watch t.v. or maybe go to the beach. But now I like to give back to the community that has given so much to me.”
17 year old Riqueben Jocson from Houston says “I volunteer to take up some time out of my summer.”
Riqueben volunteers 40 hours a week at the hospital durning the summer. He says ” I’m just trying to get my foot into the medical field. I’m trying to be an M.D.”
“They’re a lot of help. People take vacations this time of year so it’s a lot of help for the young people to come in and its fun to see the young people” says Marihelen Boyd, president of the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Auxillary.
Money collected by the sales of the cart, along with sales from the gift shop, go towards the Clara Driscoll Spirit Scholarships for teen volunteers. It is a one-time scholarship of $1,500. Qualified Volunteens and/or student volunteers already attending a college or university may apply.This scholarship will only apply toward tuition, books and mandatory fees. 12-13 scholarships are awarded every year.
The volunteens have to put in at least 300 hours a year and most of them put in a lot more than that. The kids learn how to give back and a good work ethic and for the kids we talked with, giving back, is reward enough.
Want to get involved and volunteer at Driscoll Children’s Hospital? Just follow the link below
