NIFTY Students Volunteer Time to Help Others

As a parent, one of my biggest tasks in raising my children is to encourage them to see past themselves and consider the effects their actions have on others.  At ages 6, 4, and 1 that’s a hard concept for my children to grasp.  Right now it usually consists of me trying to explain that the toy they took from their little sister made her feel sad or something to that effect. 

For members of the youth community volunteer group, NIFTY, which stands for New Ideas From The Youth, thinking of others seems to come naturally.  This group of Menomonee Falls middle school and high school students volunteers their time to help with community events and charity projects.  They’ll even be braving the cold this Saturday to help run the children’s games at Chilly Fest.

As I listened in at their meeting last week, the discussion turned to how many layers they’ll need to wear in order to keep warm on Saturday.  While many teens would shudder at the thought of giving up a Saturday afternoon to stand out in the cold and help children play games, this group thrives on their volunteer functions and events.

Student volunteers are role models.

Besides Chilly Fest, the students help with the Big Pig Gig, Hoop It Up, Haunted Halloween Walk, and the Safety Fair.  They enjoy walking in various parades and one of their favorite projects is collecting personal care items to make gift bags for the women’s shelter of Waukesha during the holidays.

Darlene Riefel, a North Middle School Science teacher, is an advisor for NIFTY. “People tend to see teenagers as being selfish, but these kids are coming in and giving of themselves. They’re giving to their community and are very positive role models.”

Volunteering improves feelings of self-worth.

Ann Reese, also a NIFTY advisor, thinks it’s important for kids to get involved, whether helping in the community or in another way.  “It makes them feel good about themselves.  It brings up their self-esteem.  They feel important.”

Reese’s three children have all been involved with the group.  Samantha, a senior at Menomonee Falls high school, joined NIFTY as soon as she was old enough. “It makes me feel like a better person as a whole. It helps me stay on track and has helped me get into college.”

Volunteering can open many doors.

The time a teenager spends volunteering looks good on a college application.

“Filling out the forms for scholarships, they’re looking for a well-rounded kid.  If you’re just sitting on the couch watching TV and doing your homework you’re not considered a well-rounded kid.  You have to get involved,” said Ann Reese.

Kristine Stabo credits her daughter’s involvement with NIFTY for opening doors after high school. Heather, now 24, went on to work as a camp counselor for the YMCA and become a member of the Student Senate at UW-Platteville.  Now she works as a civil engineer. 

Volunteering provides useful life skills.

“NIFTY is a positive experience for kids.  It teaches them group dynamics, decision-making skills, provides an opportunity to be involved, volunteer, and move into more of a leadership role by learning skills which carry over into adulthood,” said Kristine Stabo.

But those benefits are probably not the first thing to come to mind when you ask the student members why they enjoy NIFTY.  When asked what was his favorite part of NIFTY, 16-year-old Demitri Panagiotopoulos replied, “The memories… because it’s really fun.”

NIFTY is open to Menomonee Falls middle school and high school students.  They meet every second Tuesday of the month at Menomonee Falls Public Library.  If you’d like to become a member, contact Darlene Riefel at 255-8450 ext. 2312 or email riefdar@sdmf.k12.wi.us.