Thirteen-year-old Ainsley Mickle is a typical teenager with a full slate of activities and pastimes that keep her busy.
She plays volleyball. She likes to read, and she’s learning to play golf. She also enjoys sorting potatoes at Harvesters’ Kansas Distribution Center in Lawrence, Kan.
“There were some that were foot-shaped and some heart-shaped, and I like to think about how (the food) is going to change families’ lives,” Ainsley said of the donated bulk potatoes she and her mother Sunee Mickle bagged during a recent volunteer shift.
“Our bond definitely grows every time we volunteer,” especially when “we get into the rhythm” of the conveyor belt, said Sunee, vice president of government and community relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. The Mickles are members of National Charity League, a nonprofit organization that fosters developing strong mother-daughter relationships through acts of community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.
“Volunteering is a way to get teens not to be on the phone following the latest craze online, and (instead) spending time being part of something bigger,” Sunee said. “I tell my daughter we show up to volunteer to show other people in the community that we care about what is going on in their lives.”
Since August, Sunee and Ainsley have logged 17 volunteer hours together. Sunee had previously volunteered at Harvesters with her company’s leadership team. She especially appreciates an opportunity to impact families across Kansas.
“One of the plusses to volunteering at Harvesters is you get the exact same message, and the process is explained the same way each time, which demonstrated to me why it is a top organization to volunteer with,” Sunee said.
Sunee learned the power of volunteering from her parents, who believed in volunteering to get whatever needed doing in their community done.
“My parents were always volunteering, not because it benefited them but because it was the right thing to do,” Sunee recalls. “Even if it infringed on your own personal time, I always knew I was expected to step up, too.”
Sunee wants Ainsley to learn time spent volunteering is an expectation and duty to be proud of, never a punishment.
“I think it’s good she’s passing on volunteering to me. It adds a sense of being brave when I’m helping others,” Ainsley said.
Although Ainsley isn’t currently aware of any children her age who need food, she’s learning what it takes to advocate for others.
“I know a lot of people suffer from not having enough food, especially some elderly people, who have no way to get out and get food,” she said. “Some people might be embarrassed or have shame about needing food, but you should not be sad about it or too proud to ask for food.”
