Delavan, Illinois
47 students participated
Poll Analysis - Pre-selected options
Personal Intangible Wishes
1st = good feeling 2nd = worthwile use of time 3rd = fun and putting own
values into practice
7th = role model 6th = meeting new people
Personal Tangible Wishes
1st = apprenticeships and mentors 2nd = free passes
11th = TV coverage 10th (tie)= class credits and letters of recommendation
Wishes for the Community
1st = upgrade schools 2nd (tie) = auditorium, skate park etc. and computers
etc.
5th = inexpensive and good childcare 4th = library upgrades
Reasons for NOT Volunteering
1st = no time 2nd = need money 3rd = not know where 4th =
specific times required
14th = parents not approve 13th = uncool
Volunteer 5 hours a week
During school year?
Yes = 40
During summer?
Yes = 34
Currently volunteer?
Yes = 21
Poll Analysis - Hand Written Comments
Random Sampling
Trades
"A chance to prove that high school students can make a difference."
"Recognition, Respect and Satisfaction."
"Pride Respect Recognition"
"Recognition, feeling of helping others, knowing I spent my time well."
"The ability to be able to help in the future; being able to see the good my help did for my community and a simple thank you."
"I want something done to othe community to make it a better place."
"I would trade my time to help start a youth center to keep kids from starting bad habits."
"I wouldn't really expect anything in returnójust a feeling of being needed and being able to help others is enough for me. I would like to be looked up to."
"A feeling of satisfaction in what I did, recognition from the people that I helped and knowing that I spent my time helping others."
"Free tickets to social events; college scholarship opportunities; on the job training to count as job experience when you apply for a real job."
"Knowledge that could be used in my job field and a free lunch for the times I help."
"I would like to have a car, free gas and free insurance."
[Most kids wanted free gas for a year and some suggested for life but
the following student was more modest.] "In trade for helping my community I wouldn't
mind having my gas paid for a day or two; also maybe a plaque and a scholarship to
school."
Volunteers
"I tutor for an hour on Wednesday and help out with the breakfast club."
"I babysit on a volunteer basis without pay."
"I tutor children once a week for an hour at my church."
"I'm a blood donor and I help with food drives, church benefits and fall festival
events. I participate in volunteer week to help mentally handicapped campers and I work as
a teacher's helper and collect for the heart fund."
Poll Results/Individual Schools