University of Wisconsin - Extension

The example of adult volunteers turning out to help strangers affected by the Sept. 11 attacks made a big impression on children and teens.

In fact, nine out of 10 kids who responded to a National 4-H Council survey taken shortly after the attacks said they are more likely to volunteer and get involved in their community after seeing, reading, and hearing about others who volunteered after the September terrorist attacks.

Linda Kustka, University of Wisconsin-Extension 4-H youth development specialist, says the study underlines the need young people have for what she calls "everyday heroes."

"Kids need a role model, someone they can admire and look up to, someone they aspire to be like," Kustka said. Often, she added, kids find those heroes among the adults who work as volunteers in 4-H clubs, schools, and other youth organizations.

"One of the important things "heroes" do is show kids examples of how they can do good in the world. So many of the people we see on the news on television are those who have done horrendous things - criminals or terrorists. But our heroes are people who show us the other side -- the good side -- of human nature.

Kustka said everyday heroes exist almost everywhere, often out of the limelight. "Heroes are not necessarily famous, but that does make their contributions any less valuable," she explained.

Kustka also thinks that people who volunteer their time and resources possess many of the characteristics of heroes.

¿ Heroes make personal sacrifices. Volunteers do this frequently, Kustka said, giving up their time, money and talents to help others.

¿ Heroes do things that are difficult - or impossible. A heroic volunteer hangs on even when the task is not at all easy. For example, a volunteer tutor may face resistance or even hostility from the child he or she is trying to help. But with perseverance, the tutor finally wins the child's trust and eventually makes a difference in that child life.

¿ Heroes are courageous. Volunteers frequently take brave and lonely stands to advocate for causes they believe in.

¿ Heroes are strong. Volunteers who give their time to civic causes often are strengthened by their desire to battle injustices that are beyond their own self-interest.

When these volunteer-heroes work with young people, the kids learn some important lessons about how one individual can make a difference.

"We seem to think that a hero has to have superhuman qualities," Kustka said. "But there are unlikely heroes everywhere, people who are able to get things done. They may not be the flashiest people in the room, but they are the greatest."