Lend a hand and help yourself, too

This summer, teenagers were busier than ever doing a variety of projects, jobs and volunteer work. Volunteering is important to teenagers, whether it's volunteering time at hospitals, nursing homes or senior citizen centers.

So why volunteer? These days, teens work on their resumes earlier than ever. Not only does volunteering help them when applying to college, but it looks great to any potential employer. It shows enthusiasm, work ethics and leadership skills. An increasing number of schools are requiring teens to put in a certain number of volunteer hours a year, as well.

Here's a look at one area teen who has made such an impact in the volunteer world.

Steven Nations Jr.

Steven Nations Jr., 16, attends Jackson High School. He has been volunteering at Saint Francis Medical Center for about a year, accumulating 300 volunteer hours. Besides his work at Saint Francis, Nations has volunteered with the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship program and with his church group. He also has been a Boy Scout for five years.

When asked why he got started in volunteering, he said, "I just love to help people." Nations' father works at Saint Francis. His sister, who has cerebral palsy, participates in the Mississippi Valley Horsemanship program. Nations also says that his church is very important and he will help out any way possible there as well.

At the medical center, he volunteers in both inpatient and outpatient physical therapy departments, outpatient admitting and housekeeping. He files charts, transports patients in wheelchairs, does basic housekeeping and helps the hospital staff admit and discharge patients.

Pat Miller-Williams, the volunteer manager at Saint Francis, says that Nations comes in and volunteers during holiday breaks from school and snow days, in addition to his other volunteer shifts during the week.

"Helping people is what I do and I wouldn't have it any other way. Making others happy is the best feeling in the world," Nations said.

Emily Hendricks is a student at Central High School.