Valuable aid work

Due to the current economic climate, some students may balk at the idea of volunteer work. As the saying goes, “time is money” and many of us are unwilling or unable to sacrifice either to support a good cause.

Against the bleak backdrop of an increasingly self-centered generation, the activities of Soon Kyung Yoon and the rest of the Bulldawg Outreach to Nursing Homes and the Elderly are an inspiration to all of us here at The Red & Black.

And global trends indicate that volunteering with B.O.N.E and similar groups could pay off in the future.

The number of elderly people worldwide is expected to increase from 506 million to 1.3 billion by 2040, according to a report commissioned by the National Institute of Aging.

With the effective doubling of the planet’s 65-years-of-age and older population, nursing homes will undoubtedly become a growing industry in need of employees.

This phenomenon is already apparent in Great Britain – where droves of young people from other European countries have migrated there to secure jobs caring for the elderly.

In the event that the U.S. follows suit, volunteer work could become valuable work experience for members of B.O.N.E and other volunteer organizations.

While a good deed may very well be its own reward, B.O.N.E provides University students with an opportunity to develop a marketable skill-set while giving back to the community.

Whether you aspire to bring joy into someone’s life, get hired in a shifting economy or simply pad your resume, volunteering is always a great option.

-Marcus Crawford for the editorial board.

There is still hope

The stars of last year’s football team are gone, but we are hardly worried.

The current class of freshmen, headlined by elite-11 quarterbacks Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger and receiver Marlon Brown is one of head coach Mark Richt’s deepest classes in years. The freshmen are a very tight-knit group and ask a lot of questions of the upperclassmen.

“Some guys in the past when they come in, they’re scared to ask questions, thinking they may get in trouble,” senior defensive end Marcus Washington told The Red & Black. “But the only way you’re going to learn is to ask.”

It’s still very early, but so far, the freshmen’s willingness to learn shows a maturity beyond their years and hopefully translates to the field.

-Michael Fitzpatrick for the editorial board.