In August, two Las Vegas teens were arrested for stealing a car and using it to intentionally strike random people, ultimately killing a retired police officer who was riding his bike. The boys, who shot video of themselves committing the acts, were laughing at the time and continued to laugh and smile even as they were being tried.

Incidents of young people committing robberies, carjackings, assaults and even homicide are currently very high across the United States. Some say that we are experiencing a youth crime crisis.

It is true that young people have the capacity to inflict pain and destruction on their communities. However, over the past many weeks, I have witnessed the power these youth have to build and benefit the places where they live.

I have had the privilege of working for the United Way Sub for Santa program in which struggling families apply to receive Christmas gifts for their children. After filling out applications online, these families attend open houses to prove they live in Utah County, have guardianship of their children and have a financial need. This year, we held 23 of these open houses and hope to provide assistance for 2,100 families.

Obviously, this program could not exist without volunteers from the community who donate gifts, but it also requires volunteers who meet with families at open houses, sort packages and deliver the gifts. I have been so impressed with all volunteers as I have attended these open houses.

I would especially like to highlight the young people who stepped up to help. We had several families volunteer, and they often said their young adult children or older teens were the ones who signed them up.

I spoke with a young lady recently who said she had been volunteering with Sub for Santa for a few years and would continue to do so. She said most of the humanitarian projects she helps with are done from a distance, and she isn’t able to see the impact they have on individuals. She loves helping at the Sub for Santa open houses because it gives her the opportunity to meet with people face to face.

Utah County is home to many people who speak multiple languages, often due to serving missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have seen the need for Spanish, Portuguese and even sign language communication filled again and again. After our most recent open house, a young man who was volunteering said a Venezuelan family he helped invited him to their house for dinner. He was thrilled.

Another time, a young man asked a woman what her children would like for gifts. Perhaps because the family didn’t often have disposable income, she wasn’t able to name any and asked him to fill out that part. He did a great job of suggesting presents for each little child.

In addition to making friends with the applicants who come in, these volunteers make connections with other volunteers through their service. Sometimes, those who are applying for assistance ask if they can come back and volunteer.

It is common to see smiles and tears as the applicants share their stories. I feel the kindness and attention they are shown are just as important as the gifts we are providing.

At one of the open houses, a young man came to volunteer. He looked to be 18 or 19 and seemed like he had been dragged there by his family. Throughout the night, I wondered if he had any desire at all to be there. When the open house ended and I was cleaning up, this boy approached me. He said that he had taken the application of one family that night who he was worried about. He didn’t know if they would be accepted into the program, and if they weren’t, he wanted to buy them some gifts. It was so touching.

I am proud to live in Utah County. We have our problems, but we also have some amazing people who look out for each other without any thought of recognition. So many of our young adults are selfless, caring and professional.

Two areas of focus in United Way’s EveryDay Strong Program are helping young people feel connected and providing them with confidence or competence. Volunteering in the community is a good way to meet both of those needs in teens and help them to thrive.

United Way of Utah County is still in need of Sub for Santa sponsors for many families. Visit subforsanta.org to help a family or visit the Giving Tree in the University Place mall to buy for an individual child.

Gifts for each child include:

• Two to three new articles of clothing.
• One to two new toys.
• Three to five new books.

You can also donate at unitedwayuc.org/donate and designate the donation for “Sub for Santa.”

United Way of Utah County is on a mission to help every child in our community feel safe, connected and confident. You can listen to our latest podcast episode at anchor.fm/everydaystrong (or on Apple Podcast and Spotify). Learn more about us at everydaystrong.org.

Suzanne Jarvis is the EveryDay Strong coordinator for United Way of Utah County.