Novi High School Student Wins Congressional App Award for Volunteerism

News Summary

Aarush Arun, a 16-year-old from Novi High School, has developed an innovative app called Give Time, which helps people find volunteer opportunities based on their interests. This app won the 2025 Congressional App Award for Michigan’s 6th District. His dedication to community service, logging over 105 volunteer hours, and his experience in app development have made him an inspiring figure among his peers. Although he couldn’t present his app in Washington, D.C., he is set to receive his award from Congresswoman Debbie Dingell in a ceremony in Ann Arbor.

Novi, MI – Aarush Arun, a 16-year-old sophomore at Novi High School, has garnered recognition for his innovative approach to community service with his app, Give Time, which won the 2025 Congressional App Award for Michigan’s 6th District. This app provides a vital service by assisting individuals in finding and applying for volunteer opportunities tailored to their interests, aiming to promote greater community involvement and support local organizations.

Arun’s motivation for developing Give Time stems from witnessing the struggles many in his community faced when looking for suitable volunteer activities. Over the past year alone, he has logged approximately 105 hours of volunteer work, illustrating his commitment to community service. He has been actively volunteering for at least five years and has previously earned the prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Award after completing over 100 hours of service before the age of 15. Now that he has turned 16, he is determined to achieve over 250 volunteer hours to qualify for the award again.

The app also functions as a platform for various organizations to post their volunteer opportunities, making it easier for users to discover ways to contribute to their community. As part of Arun’s endeavor, feedback from a friend testing the app demonstrated its effectiveness; this friend was able to find a volunteer position which subsequently led to a paid role. The concept behind Give Time aims to streamline access to volunteer positions, thereby facilitating increased participation from locals and strengthening community ties.

In addition to his work on the app, Arun excels academically and participates in extracurricular activities. He runs track and holds a black belt in karate while also providing online tutoring in math and science to younger children. His aspiration is to become a software engineer, and he gained significant insights during his participation in the Congressional App Challenge, which motivated him to refine and enhance his application further.

While Arun was invited to present his app in Washington, D.C., he was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict. Nonetheless, he is set to receive his award from Congresswoman Debbie Dingell during a ceremony in Ann Arbor on May 3. This recognition not only highlights his individual achievements but also emphasizes the importance of nurturing young minds with the potential to make a difference in society.

The development of Give Time marks Arun’s first venture into app creation, and while it is nearing completion for release on the Google Play Store, plans are also underway to launch it on the Apple App Store. The support from Arun’s peers and the Novi Community School District has been instrumental in his journey.

Arun’s father, Arun Chandrasekaran, expressed immense pride in his son’s accomplishments and gratitude towards the educational environment that has fostered his development. As the younger generation becomes increasingly tech-savvy, initiatives like Give Time not only reflect a shift in how community engagement is approached but also embody the spirit of service that is essential for fostering more connected neighborhoods.

In summary, Aarush Arun’s story serves as an inspiring example of how young individuals can leverage technology to promote volunteerism and strengthen community bonds, setting the stage for future innovations in civic engagement.

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Additional Resources

• C & G News: Novi Sophomore Uses Coding Skills to Help People Find Volunteer Opportunities
• Detroit News: Novi Rotary, Novi Schools Launch Summer Meal Program
• Hometown Life: Novi High School Students Volunteer
• The Oakland Press: Novi Fire and Police Departments Recognize Officers and Volunteers
• C & G News: Novi Community School District Using Technology to Keep Students Safe
• Wikipedia: Volunteerism
• Google Search: Volunteer Opportunities
• Google Scholar: Community Service
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Volunteer
• Google News: Community Volunteering