Wes: Volunteerism: The act of giving away a valued service with no expectation of personal gain. Many teens find ways to serve the community, often in search of a line item on a college application. That’s terrific but for others, including most of the Double Take writers over the years, volunteerism has taken on a greater significance in their lives. Ben is just back from a remarkable trip, working in a Romanian orphanage, not just for free but at a substantial cost, which he’s now seeking to underwrite.

The lessons of volunteerism are priceless for teens and young adults and the rest of us as well. To give away something of value is to give back to a local or global community that has inarguably given each of us a great deal more than we have earned. Too often our idols are TV stars or other entertainers, some of who contribute little more than their talent to their world.

If they do chip in, it comes at no real sacrifice, just a nice tax deduction on an opulent income. Real heroes are beneficent. They give in a way that truly helps others at a cost to them in time, money or effort.

I admire Ben’s beneficence, as I do any teen who takes the volunteer road less traveled, not only because of what he is doing for others but for what he’s doing for himself. By landing squarely in the middle of a challenging and difficult situation he’s expanding not only his awareness of an entirely different world, but his empathy for those who live there. Having spent much of my early career working in public mental health and foster care, I know how difficult that can be, and I applaud him for taking the plunge. I’d encourage other teens and parents to join up on these sorts of efforts, even if you can’t pull off a trip to Haiti or Romania. There are plenty of folks next door in need right now, and the rewards of service are just as great, for them and for you.

Ben: On my return from an orphanage in Romania, I was told to write a column on youth volunteerism based on my experience. Based on my experience, I frankly have nothing beyond boring cliches to write about youth service, so I won’t.

During my time in Romania, I was blown away by the generosity of the staff and kids at the orphanage. While my team did spend many hours cleaning out and organizing storehouses for them, I often felt as though I was the one being served. The staff was always inquiring about our needs and comfort, and the kids were welcoming from day one. They sought after our comfort, almost to a fault. This wasn’t a project for them; this was their home, their everyday life.

The contrast is painful. I have to raise $2,000 and fly halfway around the world to inspire a sense of service in myself; my Romanian friends just look for an opportunity in their day. Volunteering is great, but doing good to others shouldn’t start with searching for an organization. It should begin at home, at school, at work, anywhere and everywhere you can lend a hand. It won’t fatten your resume. It won’t give you a great Facebook album. It’s just good.