Praise for young leaders who care

"Congratulations, you have a son."

"Congratulations, you have a daughter."

Those are among the most wonderful words that parents will ever hear.

And as they hold their baby in their arms for the first time, they know there will be many more affectionate embraces as a life together is built on a foundation of family.

There will be hugs of joy. Hugs of comfort.

And hugs of pride, exactly of the kind being exchanged by some parents and their teenage children in the suburbs.

The teens have done something very special. They have committed themselves to doing all they can, in their own free time, to help those who need their companionship, their charity, their compassion.

They are volunteers in a number of important causes. They help the homeless. They serve as mentors and tutors for children who struggle with academics and peer acceptance. They provide counsel and assistance to those who are ill or disabled. They organize blood donation campaigns, and fundraisers to fight cancer and other deadly diseases.

This is just a sample of the good work being done by suburban teens who have been named to the 2007-2008 Daily Herald Leadership Team. The team consists of those who have shown exemplary commitment to volunteering and community service. Their names and details on their accomplishments were reported in Wednesday's Neighbor, and you can still find them on dailyherald.com.

There is something particularly heartwarming about teenagers giving so much of themselves to help others. Their youth is a shield against cynicism and lack of faith in our essential goodness that can sometimes come with age. You will find, in the chambers of their good hearts, kindness and anger with injustice. They believe they can make positive changes. And hopefully they will not become cynical, but continue to grow impatient with the arrival of benevolence in troubled lives.

There are many other teens throughout the suburbs who are also volunteering their time that are not on our Leadership Team list. But they get recognition in other ways, from various awards to the simple but heartfelt thank yous from those they help.

And the hug of a parent who is so grateful to have brought a child into the world who wants to change that world for the better.

We are again at a critical time in our history when we are to choose who shall be president. We couldn't go wrong if those candidates had even half the leadership skills and compassion of these young people we praise today.

Perhaps some of them will grow up to be a candidate for president themselves.

But even if they don't, they have already made a big difference in our society. Just ask anyone who has the pleasure -- and the benefit -- of being around them.