It started as a favor, but when Eneyka Phifer-Bone was asked to fill in at her church daycare, she was hooked. “I volunteer because I like helping people,” she said. “Also, I love kids.”

Phifer-Bone volunteers at Life Changing Reality Christian Center (LCRCC). She helps set up the kids’ area and, when kids come, she plays with them. In good weather she plays outside. She also feeds them snacks.

“I’ve been volunteering with kids since I was about 12,” she said. While she’s been working with the older kids for about four years, she started volunteering with babies about two years ago. She enjoys what she does there and would encourage others to get involved. “It doesn’t have to be with a church,” she said. “Some may like music or building things to get them involved.”

Besides volunteering, Phifer-Bone also participates in track and field at Armijo and is part of her youth group at LCRCC. When she graduates she wants to go to college somewhere in California, but she doesn’t know where or what she wants to study.

Phifer-Bone recognizes the value of volunteering as part of a complete package. “Work hard in school,” she said. “Take advantage of free resources we have now. Volunteering looks good on college apps so get involved now!”