During the Christmas season, a time of giving and receiving, some Bismarck-Mandan students simply give by volunteering.

There are many different volunteering opportunities students can be a part of. Whether they are helping people, animals or the environment, all make a difference.

Students of all ages are volunteering this holiday season. Stephanie Sandvick, a sophomore at the University of Mary, volunteers at the Gift Wrap every year, along with many other places. She volunteers there on her own and with her family.

The Gift Wrap is located outside of Herberger's in the Kirkwood Mall. All money goes to University of Mary's Optimist Club, where it is then used to help children in the community who are in need.

"Over the Christmas season I try to volunteer there at least once a week," Sandvick said.

She also coaches bowling every Saturday, and has worked at soup kitchens in the past. "God created us to help others and our environment," Sandvick said.

While some students volunteer on their own, others are involved in volunteer groups through schools or churches.

The Leadership club at Mandan High School does a variety of volunteer work. The group is made up of students who are voted in as freshmen by their middle and high school teachers. There are six students involved from each grade. This Christmas, they are working with the Children's Treasure Chest Wish List, an organization that helps abused children, and is run through Medcenter One.

Programs usually call Leadership, but this idea came about in a different way. "This was special because it was a student that asked us to do it, not an organization," said Karen Katzung, adviser for Leadership.

Along with getting people to donate toys and other things kids might enjoy, Leadership also is making blankets.

With volunteering comes the satisfaction of having made an impact on someone or something. For many, this is the reason they continue to volunteer. They enjoy the feeling they get inside after helping someone in need.

"It's not getting the thanks, it's doing the deed," said Trent O'Brien, a Mandan senior and member of Leadership.

While some have been volunteering for years, others have just become involved.

Century High School junior Michael Frenzel will be volunteering at the Ruth Meiers Hospitality House this Christmas. "I chose to volunteer because my community does a lot for me," he said. "I want to give back to it."

Frenzel isn't the only young adult who feels that way. Whether it's Sandvick wrapping gifts, or O'Brien with the Leadership club, their generation is proving it's a caring one. Many high school and college students volunteer year-round. Whether they volunteer an hour a week or multiple hours a day, all make a difference.

"(Volunteering is) something everyone should do to give back to the community," Sandvick said.

(Reach Macy Egeland at macy.egeland@;bismarcktribune.com. Egeland is a student at Century High School.)