Cherish youth.

The United Nations has declared today, August 12, International Youth Day. They encourage us to team up, organize, celebrate and take action for youth. Want some concrete ways to do that? Try these ideas from the So what can I do? archives:

* End child abuse. If you or someone you know needs help call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Professional counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

* Donate life so that children and others can benefit from your blood, platelets, organs, and marrow.

* Be a foster parent to one or more of the thousands of US children who need them.

* Support children of imprisoned parents and eliminate the fact that children with parents in prison are five times more likely to go to prison themselves.

* Be a mentor to youth in your community.

* Consider the effects of class and economics on youth and on yourself.

* Make good choices for the health of yourself and youth everywhere.

If you want more ideas, peruse the archives. You're sure to find many ways to serve.

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. - Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 - 1945)