Mandatory community service is oxymoron

Sound like an oxymoron to you? Well, it is. Many organizations centered around something other than community service require hours of volunteer work. Even some schools require volunteer work to graduate. Many people view community service as something they "need" to do, but the definition of volunteer is literally to offer oneself to perform a service willingly and without pay. Being forced to work without pay doesn't exactly fall under this definition. Genuine community service is valuable and really makes a difference in the community. However, this value is lost when community service turns into forced drudgery that looks good on college entrance forms. I believe community service should be an act from the heart and is something to be proud of.

BARRY WILSON

Sandpoint