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Jaskiran Atta: Volunteering “is not just a chore,” she says. (JOHN MAHONEY/The Gazette)

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VOLUNTEER HONOURED: Helping can be contagious

Pierrefonds student on of three teen recognized for their efforts in helping others

Karen Seidman
The Gazette
Thursday, January 7, 2010

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Jaskiran Atta: Volunteering “is not just a chore,” she says. (JOHN MAHONEY/The Gazette)

After devoting a big chunk of her time to volunteering during the school year, Jaskiran Attar discovered that volunteering can be contagious.

“I discovered that it’s actually enjoyable, not just a chore,” said Attar, 16, a Grade 11 student at Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School who was one of the recent winners of the Youth in Action – Volunteer award given annually by Volunteer West Island and Nelligan MNA Yolande James. The students were honoured last month in a ceremony with James, who presented each of the 24 participants who had completed at least 25 hours of volunteering with a letter of recognition.

The three winners – Attar, Alex Lague of École Secondaire St. Georges and Simone Spencer of Riverdale High School – each won a laptop in recognition of their hard work in the community. The contagiousness of the task is no coincidence. That’s actually the goal of the program, according to Shari Fraser, co-ordinator of volunteer recruitment for Volunteer West Island.

“The idea is to get the students to continue to volunteer and to spread the word to their friends,” Fraser said.

And, according to Attar: mission accomplished.

“Winning this award has really inspired me to continue volunteering,” said Attar. “And my friends were encouraged to take it up, too.”

Attar spent 29 hours volunteering, mainly at school, where she worked at the convocation ceremony, in the library and at the school’s open house. She also organized a can drive to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation.

She said the time she spent volunteering was really a journey of self-discovery.

“At the beginning, I thought it was good to give,” she explained. “Then, I realized that I get a lot from it, too.”

She said the experience has boosted her self-confidence, especially in public.

“And it’s very rewarding when people thank you,” she said.

She was surprised when she heard she had won the Youth in Action award – and very pleased.

“I really felt honoured,” she said. “It’s nice to know that people appreciated that I gave my time.”