Letter to the Editor
Community service should be seen as opportunity, not sacrifice

It shocked me to read such a negative headline regarding the merits of service as featured in the March 15 issue of the Skiff. The headline read, “Making Sacrifices: Some students choose helping others over fun during Spring Break.” Service should not be synonymous with sacrificing fun, it should be seen for what it is: an opportunity.

On a campus devoted to learning and serving, it is troubling to know that the connotation of service is still negative to some people. The TCU mission statement embodies the notion of educating individuals to be responsible citizens in the community, which implies an element of service.

The headline stated that the students would be sacrificing their fun for the needs of others. Providing service to another person in need or an organization that depends on the support is a reward in itself. Positive outcomes of service include strengthening relationships, providing necessities for people who have very little, witnessing the sincere gratefulness on people’s faces, realizing the facade of the prosperity that surrounds us and the desperation of reality and touching another person’s life through your actions.

Sharing your time, talents and resources is not a burden. It is a responsibility that should be cherished and regarded in high esteem. I commend the organizations that embarked on mission trips for Spring Break, and I know they had genuine fun in helping others.

— Paige Reeve
junior speech
communication major

Editorial policy: The content of the Opinion page does not necessarily represent the views of Texas Christian University. Unsigned editorials represent the view of the TCU Daily Skiff editorial board. Signed letters, columns and cartoons represent the opinion of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board.

Letters to the editor: The Skiff welcomes letters to the editor for publication. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, signed and limited to 250 words. To submit a letter, bring it to the Skiff, Moudy 291S; mail it to TCU Box 298050; e-mail it to skiffletters@tcu.edu or fax it to 257-7133. Letters must include the author’s classification, major and phone number. The Skiff reserves the right to edit or reject letters for style, taste and size restrictions.