Sheriff: Helping others has many benefits
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STEUBENVILLE -- Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. told students and others attending Friday's Honor America assembly at Steubenville High School there are many benefits to helping others and not just to those being helped.
In its 44th year, the assembly is held annually by the school's Key Club and brought many active community members and alumni to share their experiences and advice about being productive citizens.
Abdalla noted the Key Club and other groups at the school have been involved in various service projects, including cleaning Harding Stadium after each game and supporting the Salvation Army and Sycamore Youth Center, among many other organizations.
"You guys really do a good job of giving back to the community," he said, adding, "It's something you all should be proud of."
Abdalla said serving others involves putting others before yourself, and it's something many Americans have done, whether it be in the face of such crisis as World War II, or when a neighbor is in great need.
"Everything you do, you don't realize how much it means to the people you're helping. It's huge," he told the students.
But Abdalla added community service also benefits the people who are providing it.
He said performing various tasks can strengthen one's mental and physical abilities as well as social skills.
Abdalla said so many today communicate with others by texting on cell phones and sending messages through social media, but there's no substitute for one-to-one personal interaction.
He added helping others makes one feel good, which contributes to one's overall health.
Abdalla noted that every student is going through a time of change, and that can be difficult, but they can help peers who are struggling with the same things.
He noted athletes, cheerleaders and student leaders are looked up to by other students and can set an example for others.
"One of the best things you can do is to be of service to each other. It's so important to be kind," said Abdalla.
"If you want to be successful and go as far as you can, one of the best things you can do is to be kind to others."
Attendees, including children from the Wells Academy primary classrooms in the building, also heard from Phynyx Fleming, an eighth-grader at Harding Middle School who won the club's Honor America essay contest.
The daughter of Henry and Mohaganey Fleming, she wrote, "By engaging in community service, individuals can experience growth and character development."
"As we grow older, it's easy to become self-absorbed in our needs and desires. The effects of community service can leave a positive impression on the participants as well as the society."
Fleming wrote of the influence of her father, who worked to form a non-competitive youth basketball league to teach children sportsmanship and character as well as athletic skills.
"Volunteering also helps keep me in regular contact with others and develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you're going through challenging times," she said.
"When I helped my dad, I finally understood why he participates in acts of community service."
Also participating in the program were Jaziah Gray, Key Club president; Maleeea Crownover, the club's vice president; Julia Arlesic, senior representative; Gia Bowman, program coordinator; Sarah Allen, secretary; Aujanae Robinson, sergeant-at-arms; the Steubenville High School Band and R.J. Barr of the Tri-State Young Marines.