Senior tallies over four hundred hours of service in only four years

02/16/21

Previously published in “The Mount” a publication produced by the staff of Mount Michael’s Journalism team. Follow the journalism team via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube links on https://mountonline.org

BY LOGAN WHITCOMB

For most students here, the one-hundred hours of required service is a constant thought in the back of their head. For Grant Schnieder ‘21, his many hours of service are something he prides himself on and something that he does not plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Grant Schneider ‘21 and his brother Kyle sit in front of his church where he does most of his service.

“I hit the one-hundred hour mark during the beginning of sophomore year,” he said. “Since then, I have still kept count and am always amazed at the growing total.”

Over his three and a half years at the school, he has accumulated around four-hundred hours of service. Those hours come from many sources including his church, various food banks, and Mount Michael events as well.

“I’d say a good majority of my hours come from volunteer work at Brookside Church pretty much every Sunday,” Schneider said. “But I love to diversify my service experience, so it’s great when an opportunity to do something new comes up.”

Schnieder feels that too many students complete hours of service only because of the requirement and not because it is a good thing to do. He hopes that students can look past the requirement and try to complete hours of service to help others, not just for personal gain.

“I think people get caught up in the one-hundred hour requirement, and when they are doing service, they are not thinking about what they are actually doing for the community,” he said.
Those close to Schnieder have taken note of his willingness to donate his time including Ruth Schnieder, Grant’s mother.

“I love that Grant has always been so open to helping the community, and I hope he continues his work for a long time,” she said.

Gavin Gloeb ‘21 has known Schnieder his entire life and has always noticed his dedication to serve the community.

“For as long as I can remember, Grant has taken every opportunity to volunteer,” Gloeb said. “I don’t think anyone will ever match his numbers.”

Schnieder is able to see through the mundane tasks involved in the hours he has completed and understands that every volunteer makes a difference. He knows that someone is always in need of some help.

“I love the feeling after helping out a community and knowing I made a difference in someone’s day,” he said. “While it may feel like I played a small role, I know that every person helping makes a difference. Without volunteers, non-profit organizations would not be able to operate.”