All on the same team


“To win a championship, you have to play as a team.”

Sharif Ruebin, Teen Editor-in Chief, the Durham VOICE

Sharif Ruebin, Teen Editor-in Chief, the Durham VOICE

That’s what Phillip Robinson-Hayes, an Early College senior, says.

The same principle can be used with giving back to others in need. It is very important for people to give back to their communities.

As a neighborhood, we’re all on the same team.

A while back, I helped out at the Durham Rescue Mission Back-to-School giveaway. It was a community drive with donations from multiple local companies and organizations that gave out book bags full of essential school supplies like pencils, paper and notebooks.

The basics kids need for back-to-school.

I was in awe when I was told that children stood, before the break of dawn, in a line that stretched down a couple of blocks, waiting for a chance to get the school supplies.

Helping out the community really makes people appreciate the things they have and learn not to take them for granted.

For the holidays, not everyone has the chance to sit down and enjoy the season with family. Not everyone has a chance to eat and celebrate in a home all their own.

This holiday season some people will have to resort to eating at a shelter or mission.

If you’re fortunate enough to not worry about your meal this year, instead of just sitting at home, maybe you can go out and help out your community. You could help by donating food for those unfortunate enough to not have a holiday meal. Or maybe you  could help out in a kitchen feeding the homeless.

Thanksgiving is a holiday in which you give thanks for what you have.  It is also about helping out others in need. It means a lot for someone to go out of their way to help serve others in need.

My friend Robinson-Hayes puts it like this:

“It’s always good to help people in need,” he said.

And added:

“It never hurts to assist someone in need.”