Houston Strong: Teens making a difference in The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, TX (KTRK) -- If you've been fretting about the younger generation and the future, then you'll find these young people reassuring.

Congressman Kevin Brady of the Woodlands is awarding Brian Seeling, 16, and Catherine Seelig, 15, Congressional service medals of honor for their nearly 500 volunteer hours.

Brian didn't expect to enjoy giving back to the community as much as he did.

"When I first started it seemed like a waste of time, until I started meeting some of the people I was helping and it does make a difference to them," he said.

It's an honest response from Brian, who's now in his third year volunteering. A lot of the work he and his sister do is through the Interfaith Ministries -- their food pantry, their golf tournament and helping get school supplies to kids who need them. Volunteering has given the siblings a chance to meet people and learn lessons many teenagers don't experience.

Volunteering has opened Catherine's eyes.

"We go around to senior citizens and we give them meals on wheels and I didn't realize people need that kind of stuff," Catherine said.

And it's opened their hearts to neighbors they'd otherwise likely never meet, from residents at Regent Care Center with whom they play games, to women's centers and centers for mentally challenged adults.

For putting smiles on their neighbors' faces, we salute Brian and Catherine. They're part of what makes 'Houston Strong.'