"The solutions to all of America's problems cannot be solved with acts of goodwill. Or can they? Getting involved with goodwill projects is at the heart of saving America. This is not hard to do. Have you noticed how good it feels to know another cares about you? Have you noticed how nice it is when someone is helpful and courteous to you, instead of rude and uncaring? Have you noticed how goodwill spreads? If I stop and help a woman pick up her spilled groceries, hopefully she'll stop for the next person who needs a hand. It is a kind of repayment. It happens all the time on America's roadways. Joe stops to help Sue change a spare tire. So, when Sue's husband sees a person stuck in a parking lot with a dead battery, he is the first to offer his jumper cables and truck for a jump. All the program needs is a little bit of faith, and a lot of concern for the future of America. ...My solution may not be very original or complicated, but it's the easiest, and only God knows how far the network will reach."
Jennifer Artemis Carr, Aubrey High School, Aubrey, Texas

"Let's start...a rewards program where people (regardless of age) are rewarded for helping other people."
Rebecca Reim, DeForest High School, DeForest, Wisconsin

"Setting up a club to get things done would be a step in the right direction. Working with the community would help a lot so it is not just the school-aged kids who do things, but the community as a whole. I think that these things would bring our community much closer together. … If everyone in the United States takes pride in their schools, communities, and their country, then this will be the best country ever!!"
Stephanie Tritt, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington

"If we could get volunteers to start in another state and keep extending this program, we could have a nation-wide organization of everyone working together. This cooperation and building of trust, and talking about problems, could eliminate some of the irresponsibility of our nation."
Ramona Lazanis, Freeman High School, Rockford, Washington

"If more people were recognized for being responsible, then society might have more people acting responsibly. … All types of media should give examples of responsible behavior for others to model, instead of always telling people about the irresponsible behavior of others."
Brian Toon, Lexington High School, Lexington, Illinois

"I believe if the young people today would see positive things around them they may start to have positive attitudes towards life."
Roxane Wentzel, Marion High School, Marion, South Dakota

"What you find at most places is that there is a core group of about 20 people who do everything for their schools and community. ...These select few get everything done---or try to. ...At our school, now, more people are getting recognized for their efforts. [Seeing] their names in the bulletin, receiving thank-you cards, or even a warm thank you in front of the student body, makes [students] feel special. ...Service projects have varied from cleaning yards, grocery shopping, doing errands, to just spending time with or cleaning up the community. ...[They] give [students] a chance to meet [and work with] alumni, neighbors, and senior citizens. ...I think we should…let people know better about what is going on. Sometimes their excuse has been that they are not informed. ...I also believe that if students were given credit for so many hours of cleaning the city or for helping the elderly, many more students would help out."
Stephanie Tritt, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington