When teens step out of their comfort zone to help people they don't know, they feel confident. Hero Images/Getty Images/Hero Images hide caption

Nov. 22: Volunteers prepared Thanksgiving dinners for people in the Queens borough of New York City, which was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

With your help, we spent a month sharing stories about Americans taking action to make their world a better place. Milos Luzanin/iStockphoto.com hide caption

Alice and Simon. Courtesy of CVCJ hide caption

City Park in New Orleans. iStockphoto.com hide caption

Community service in Alabama. Courtesy of UA hide caption

Using soccer to teach math. Caroline Lacey for NPR hide caption

Vivek Voleti of the Coaching Corps. Courtesy of TCC hide caption

Volunteers in Eldon. Courtesy of TAGHC hide caption

Austin College student Naureen Dharani, center, with new friends at an afterschool program. Courtesy of Austin College hide caption

The women of Dames Gone Wild: Carol Hasbrouck, Sharon Saraga and Joyce Claflin. Courtesy of DGW hide caption

Indiana University student volunteers participate at the Middle Way House fundraising events held in spring 2012. Courtesy of Indiana University hide caption

Rescued food waiting to be delivered. Courtesy of Boulder Food Rescue hide caption

Discovering the natural world at Harlem Grown. Courtesy of Harlem Grown hide caption