Inspiring and Expanding Youth Volunteerism in North Carolina

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

Aneel Gupta is a standout youth leader who has transformed volunteerism into a driving force for community impact across western North Carolina. As president of the South Piedmont Junior Optimist Club—the only junior chapter currently operating in western North Carolina—he’s taken on the challenge of inspiring civic engagement among youth in his region. Whether organizing local events or advocating for the expansion of Junior Optimist Clubs, Aneel is helping build a stronger foundation for community-based leadership among his peers.

Under Aneel’s leadership, the club has coordinated a wide range of impactful service projects. From roadside trash cleanups and sneaker recycling drives to hosting the “Most Improved Student Awards” party and the festive “Breakfast with Santa” event, the club is making a tangible difference across Union County. Aneel helps plan and manage each initiative, working alongside other young volunteers to bring energy and organization to every project. One of their standout efforts, the GotSneakers drive, collected over 600 pairs of shoes, benefiting both environmental sustainability and individuals who needed them.

Aneel’s contributions extend well beyond the Optimist Club. He serves as a peer and math tutor at his school, is an active member of the Monroe City Youth Council and volunteers regularly with Aceing Autism, helping children on the spectrum build confidence and coordination through tennis. He also sits on his school’s Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) as a student representative, further demonstrating his commitment to building community from the ground up.

In addition to organizing projects, Aneel has taken on the role of advocate, recently speaking at the Western NC Regional Optimist Conference to encourage the formation of more Junior Optimist Clubs in the region. His vision for broader youth engagement is matched by his ability to lead through action and mobilize others with enthusiasm and compassion.

With a monthly time commitment of over a dozen volunteer hours and growing, Aneel is setting an example of what it means to serve others with intention and dedication. His leadership is not only enriching his community today but laying the groundwork for a future where more young people are empowered to step up and make a difference.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

My journey with the South Piedmont Optimist Club began when I was in 9th grade. I was one of the founding members, serving as the treasurer in our first year. In this role, I collected dues and was responsible for keeping track of our funds. I worked with the Treasurer of the Weddington Optimist Club, our parent organization, to fulfill these duties. I also worked closely with the other officers to organize service projects. As the club was in its infancy, the first few months were spent establishing our organization and recruiting members. The following year, I was elected as president of the SPJOI. I led meetings, worked with other officers to coordinate events, and organized community service efforts.

These initiatives included Santa’s Breakfast, where we encourage kids of all ages and families to join us to engage in an event featuring crafts, food, activities and a visit with Santa. We also had the GotSneakers drive where we collected over 600 used sneakers for reuse or recycling. This avoids landfills, saves hundreds of thousands of gallons of water and displaces over 5,400 pounds of carbon dioxide. Additionally, I helped initiate a winter coat collection in response to Hurricane Helene. We worked with the American Red Cross and the Union County Sheriff’s Department to collect over 250 coats in one week. Coats were delivered to areas affected by the hurricane.

Beyond that, our club regularly participates in community highway and roadside trash cleanup events. And the SPJOI also hosts a “Most Improved Student Awards Party” honoring students selected from elementary schools across the county. Kids receive free entry for bowling, food and a gift bag, which includes candy and a book of their choosing.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

One of the students at my high school floated the idea of a junior chapter of the Weddington Optimist Club. He shared his idea with a few of us, and we were all enthusiastic about the possibilities. Although many of us were already members of other service-based organizations, this was different, because we had control over which projects we could pursue. This was important to us because we weren’t limited in any way. For example, when Hurricane Helene hit, we could quickly shift our priorities to launch a winter coat drive before temperatures started to drop in the mountains.

Why is volunteering so important to you?

Growing up in Weddington, North Carolina, I have been blessed to be able to attend excellent schools, have strong mentors and have many opportunities available to me. As I’ve grown, I’ve become more aware that not everyone is as fortunate. It was important to me to be able to get involved in the community that has given me so much.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

We are the only established junior chapter in western North Carolina. I was recently asked to speak at the Western NC Regional Optimist Conference to advocate for the expansion of Junior Optimist Clubs in this region. This fall, I will be attending the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Morganton, North Carolina. My plan is to start up a new chapter of the Junior Optimist Club in this region. Because I remain close with the SPJOI, we can work together to expand our efforts across our region of the state, and beyond.

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

My favorite part of working with the SPJOI is seeing the immediate impact of our efforts. Waking up early on a Sunday morning is not fun, but joining your friends for donuts and heading out to pick up trash off the highway can be, especially when it leaves your community cleaner for all to enjoy. We take a lot of time to plan our service events, and sometimes it can get tedious. However, when the day arrives and we get to see our efforts come together, seeing the joy it brings to our community is very rewarding.

What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?

Volunteering has taught me that it is possible to make a real difference in people’s lives, even if you are just a student. And serving in an officer position has also helped me build leadership and communication skills and supported personal growth.

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

It is important for everyone to contribute to causes that they care about. Any effort, big or small, can bring about meaningful change in your local community. Taking one step forward to better your community also inspires others to help out.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

I would say just do it! Find an organization that does work that is meaningful to you. When it’s something important to you, it won’t feel like work. In fact, you may realize you’re getting back even more than you are giving.

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