Courtney Chin
Harwich Civic Association Essay Contest
    Community service is a vital factor to sustaining a healthy community environment. It enriches the civic culture with the responsibility and initiative it brings. Voluntary service brings qualities to a community such as caring for fellow citizens and dependability upon each individual. Community service conveys unity to people by arousing a sense that actions filtering through to aid and benefit everyone. A successful civic culture thrives on people being able to interact cooperatively. Service in the community must continue to in order to maintain a productive setting in which to live.
    As in today's culture, it is especially important to stress community service during a time of war. Community action is a display of supporting our nation when it needs the backing of its citizens the most. Unity is evident throughout our nation, and service shows the true spirit of the community. Without community service during wartime, there would not be such a strong bond among citizens, as evident to our own, and of other nations. Service in the form of small donations or letters all accumulates to create a culture that is conducive to national unity and collaboration.
    This collaboration develops the social skills that permit people to work through tougher decisions together. Community service helps integrate the ideas and actions of large numbers. It builds bonds within the local and national community. Strong relationships in the community allow towns to function without discord, and allow national projects to operate successfully. Our civic culture would not be the same if it did not provide the opportunities for cultural enhancement. Our culture and citizens benefit from the array of community organizations that provide actions ranging from free healthcare clinics to after-school programs for students.
    Community service sets examples for other citizens to live up to. It shows them what their roles in society can also add. An example of volunteering and service encourages people to partake in projects of their own. All citizens have the responsibility of "giving back to the community." Volunteerism is a large factor that contributes to a tight-knit community. A community cannot function with an unbalanced proportion of people contributing to the welfare of the community and those only benefiting. People active in community service are the best tools in creating a wider interest in volunteering. Their example is what promotes involvement in bettering our civic culture.
    An effective civic culture must keep high morals and social integrity. Community service provides these characteristics in its charitable and non-selfish accomplishments. People generally feel good about themselves for participating in community service, but they should also know that their town and community always need continuous support and work. The amount of service contributed may never match what is needed, but citizens should constantly attempt to playa valuable role in creating an improved national community .A civic culture that is efficient and able to have its achievements last for the future must uphold moral standards in serving the community.
    The task of civic duty comes with citizenship. There are obligations to helping the town and national community.  Surroundings of the local neighborhood and entire country provide benefits for all people. It is the duty of the citizens to return a portion of the opportunities they are given. Community service is an integral element of an effective civic culture, because it brings awareness of the civic ties in the community and town. Citizens' involvement in community service helps fulfill the wholesome ideal of living in the ideal town. To make this ideal town and community occur, people must give their time and energy to achieving this goal

Return to Index