CARING FOR ANIMALS TEACHES THIS VOLUNTEER VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Gavin Gauss. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Gavin Gauss grew up in a family that loved animals. But when the California teen saw a domoic acid outbreak threaten the livelihood of the sea lions and seals in his community, he couldn’t wait to get involved to help them.

When Gavin turned 16, the minimum age requirement, he signed up to be a teen greeter at the Marine Mammal Care Center, which inspires ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, education and research. There, he helped with check-in, shared the organization’s mission and enhanced the visitor experience. Gavin was so successful, he was able to advance his role quickly. After taking a test, he became an educational docent, teaching the public about marine mammal conservation.

Gavin has also risen in the ranks to team captain, a role that requires him to mentor new volunteers. That’s a significant responsibility, particularly considering that Gavin is one of the youngest volunteers in the group. Still, colleagues say his warmth and enthusiasm shine through, while his dedication, curiosity and professionalism are a testament to his dedication to the importance of ocean health and our role in protecting marine life. In just one year, Gavin has contributed over 124 hours of service to the Marine Mammal Care Center.

Currently a senior in high school, Gavin is exploring his plans for next year. He’s looking to attend college and is interested in the ROTC so he can become a commissioned officer after college. He knows they are attracted to candidates who participate in volunteer work and feels his experience as a docent has helped him improve his ability to speak publicly and connect with people on a stronger level. Ultimately, Gavin says volunteering reminds him that he’s not just working for himself. Instead, he’s doing it for the greater good of the organization. And when he shows up at the Marine Mammal Care Center every Sunday morning, Gavin is ready to give his all.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I think the biggest thing is just that I want to help my community. I’ve been very fortunate to have a wonderful support group of parents, friends and teachers. I feel like I owe a little bit to my city to help out.

Tell us about your volunteer role with the Marine Mammal Care Center.

I volunteer on Sunday mornings. I started as a team greeter, serving as the person who helps check guests in. Over time, I’ve been given more responsibilities. Right now, I’m an educational docent, which means I’m usually the one who gives tours and provides a brief oversight of what we do at the Marine Animal Care Center.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

I always loved animals. They have always been a big part of my life. My parents are huge animal lovers too. But I think what really inspired me was reading about them in the news. There was this huge domoic acid outbreak that happened. Tons of sea lions were sick and placed in hospitals. I was too young at the time to volunteer, but I could see them making a difference and saving the lives of the marine mammals. I wanted to help out, and so when I was finally 16, I reached out to volunteer.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

One thing that’s definitely been rewarding is that, since I’ve always been more of a shy kid growing up, I think it’s really helped me kind of come out of my shell and interact with people more. What really helps me is when people show up; it’s because they care about the animals. They want to learn more. Because of that, it kind of gives me a little more confidence to want to talk to them and interact with them.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I’ve learned a ton of facts about animals and species and all that stuff, but on a personal basis, I’ve learned a lot about what I like to do and how I like to spend my time. There have been times when it’s like my parents will ask me why I like volunteering so much. I think it’s because the community there is just so phenomenal. Also, I feel like there’s definitely a tangible result. When you give a tour or something, and everyone’s super happy and grateful, it makes you feel special. I feel like I helped out in some way.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

I think it’s important because firsthand experiences will really always show you why it matters. If you’re thinking about getting involved in something, I always recommend trying it out, because you can kind of see if it’s something you can see yourself doing more. You really can see the impact you’re making. It reinforces the idea that you should do it more often.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

I think the biggest piece of advice is to try to volunteer somewhere with a good community. For me, I was fortunate the first day I volunteered because another person was starting the first day, so we instantly clicked. If you’re a little nervous about that, I think a great thing is to volunteer with a friend. That can really motivate you. If your friend is there, they’re relying on you to also show up to volunteer. It will get your foot in the door so you can interact with more people.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

One thing I want people to take away is that no matter how big or small your volunteering job is, it always goes a long way. More people should strive to volunteer, because at the end of the day, it’s only a couple of hours a week. However, the rewards are so great. I feel like I’m part of something bigger than myself. I feel like when I volunteer, I’ve done something good for the day, and it puts me in a better mood for the rest of the week.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Gavin? Find local volunteer opportunities.