My friend Becky asked me to volunteer with her for our particular political party last week. I knew I was going to vote, but I hadn't considered volunteering for the campaign because of an unusually busy week. Just as I was thinking about everything I needed to do, she said, "Come on Cindy. I don't have the time either, but this is important. It would be fun to do together."

I knew she was right. I could make the time if I really wanted to.

"You're on," I said. "What will we do?"

"We'll do whatever they need us to do," she answered. She was right again.

We drove to one of the local campaign headquarters and joined a group in a room filled with tables and phones. We were given phoning instructions and pages of people and numbers to call.

"Follow me. We're going to sit behind Tony," Becky said. "Tony knows everything. He was here last night and helped whenever I had a question."

Becky introduced me to Tony, a nice-looking young man.

"Have you voted yet today?" Tony asked me.

"As a matter of fact, I have. How about you?"

"I'm too young to vote," Tony answered.

"How old are you?" I asked.

"I'm 14," he said, much to my surprise.

I was impressed at his poise and maturity for such a young age. We talked awhile. I asked how long he had been volunteering for the election.

"Two weeks," he said proudly.

Wow, how does that work with school?" I asked.

"I'm home schooled," Tony explained. "I love history, and I'm interested in politics."

I enjoyed talking to him whenever we took short breaks.

I was encouraged to see someone so young not just willing, but clearly excited to give of his time. It was also great to watch a steady stream of people of every age and stage of life volunteer.

One young couple came in together. There was also a father-daughter team. A man in a suit sat next to a man in cowboy boots, and Becky and I sat behind 14-year-old Tony.

We made our calls, and for the most part, people were pretty friendly to us on the phone. Those who weren't made me hope that I've always been friendly to those who volunteer to phone for important causes.

It turned out to be an enjoyable experience, and God helped me accomplish what I really needed to that day. It reminded me how essential it is to do what we can, when we can, to help others. And there are so many creative ways to do so. One man I know takes his family once a week to serve dinner at a homeless shelter. Another friend gives up a morning a week to tutor children. Many of my friends give up vacation time to work at camps for abused children or go on short-term mission trips.

There are clearly more needs than there are volunteers or time and we can't possibly solve every problem or meet every need. But we can do something, and something is still better than nothing.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach, California resident who speaks frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505, Newport Beach, CA 92658.

Originally published in the Los Angeles Times, Saturday, November 11, 2000. Used by permission of the author.