We all can learn from the example of a young teen from Rantoul.

For the past two years, 13-year-old Nicole Miller of Rantoul has been volunteering at the Community Service Center in Rantoul. Why? Well, Miller likes to help people, and she has the time.

"It's better than staying at home," Miller said.

In her own way, Miller is demonstrating that age, whether it's youth or old age, is no impediment to getting involved, to helping people, to getting out of the house and being a part of something bigger than yourself.

Three times a week — for two hours after school — Miller goes to the service center and pretty much does whatever she's asked to do. One of her main jobs is to help in the food pantry, and Miller said when she distributes food to families seeking assistance she feels "I made their lives a little bit better."

In other words, she reaps the reward of self-satisfaction by helping others.

That's a feeling many of us can share, whether it's lending a hand to organizations that need assistance or writing a check that keeps charitable organizations in business.

Miller is setting a wonderful example that others should follow.