It is when Russell Lyons volunteered for the first time that he read "Goodnight Moon" to a class of San Diego preschoolers.And it wasn't reading-he'd memorized the book and was reciting it out loud. He was 4 then. Still, he said it felt good there, in front of the other kids, lending a hand. He wanted more of that feeling.
Thirteen years later, he's getting a lot of it. He's on a five-month road trip across America-not sightseeing, but volunteering.
The University City resident has spent time at an animal reserve in Utah, a women's shelter in St.Louis, a soup kitchen in New York, a retirement home in Tucson.This week he's in Los Angeles, at a program that supports disabled youth.
"I just like helping people and feeling that something I do is making a difference," he said. He resists the idea that his "Do Good Adventure" is all that unusual.Although it bothers him that the media often describe young people as lazy and self-centered, he still regards his trip as a chance to make a statement, too."About 55 percent of teens do volunteer work, higher than the rate for adults," he said, according to a study. "Not everybody knows that."
Of course, some teens do volunteer work because it looks impressive on their college applications.Lyons said he mentioned his trip on his applications. But charity work is a habit with him. Even before the cross-country trip, he was volunteering about 200 hours a year at various places.He's made sandwiches for homeless families in Washington D.C.and he's taught math to fifth-graders in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
He gets some of that drive from his mother, Lesley Lyons, who has been involved in nonprofits for much of her life.She was there when her son "read" to the preschoolers-a memory of hers "that will never go away".
4. How did Russell Lyons start as a volunteer?
A.By reciting a story for preschoolers. | B.By helping kids with homework. |
C.By lending books to kids. | D.By giving a lecture. |
5. Which do you think is Russell's statement?
A.Volunteering is an unusual adventure. |
B.Young people are lazy and selfish. |
C.Young people are willing to help others. |
D.The rate of adults doing volunteer work is higher than that of teenagers. |
6. Why has Russell Lyons been doing volunteer work?
A.Because he thinks it is necessary for college applications. |
B.Because he thinks it has become a natural part of his life. |
C.Because he thinks he likes the feeling of being praised. |
D.Because he thinks he ought to keep his promise to Mom. |
7. What does the last paragraph suggest?
A.Lesley Lyons is too busy to look after her son. |
B.Children are always important to their parents. |
C.Lesley Lyons almost earns no money all her life. |
D.Russell Lyons is greatly influenced by his mother. |