Star Power: Jeremiah Vaughns

Meet 12-year-old Service Star Jeremiah Vaughns, a volunteer with the Brooklyn Heights Community Garden, in Nashville, Tennessee. His work includes planting, harvesting, and facilitating gardening workshops for kids in his community. TFK reader Tolani Abari spoke with Jeremiah about his service work.

Tell us about your community garden.

Brooklyn Heights, in Nashville, has a community garden that grows fruits, vegetables, and flowers for the neighborhood. Some of the people who live here wouldn’t be able to afford fresh produce from the grocery store. But the garden gives them a place where they grab fresh food for a low cost, and sometimes for free.

What’s your favorite part about volunteering with the community garden?

One activity that I’ve really enjoyed is community cleanup. There are a lot of people helping to beautify the neighborhood by picking up trash, and I love being the cheerleader for them. Sharing a few words of encouragement goes a long way.

Why is being involved in the community important for kids?

It’s important to take care of the neighborhood you live in. Volunteering also helps kids get to know others in their community. And it promotes healthy and fun activities, like being in nature.

How does your service work impact your community?

If my harvesting vegetables or teaching other kids how to make fresh salsa encourages them to teach someone else, then I think I’ve done something good. Cleaning up trash is free. Volunteering is free. Seeing smiles on the faces of your neighbors is priceless.

How can other kids get started in community service?

I enjoy food, and I believe that everyone should have access to fresh food. That’s why I became excited about working at the garden. But each kid should select something that they’re passionate about and get the ball rolling.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.