MEET MILES MURDOCCA
Founded Going the Extra Miles at age 13 to inspire young people to discover the joy of serving others and strengthening their communities.
When Miles Murdocca participated in the National Civics Bee, students were challenged to identify a problem in their community and propose a solution. As he researched the issue, Miles noticed a troubling trend. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many community organizations were struggling to find volunteers. Fire departments faced recruitment challenges, animal shelters needed support, and civic participation was declining.
While many people focused on how to recruit more volunteers today, Miles began thinking about how to inspire volunteers for tomorrow. At just 13 years old, he believed the solution started much earlier than most people realized.
Miles believed that young children are naturally inclined to help others.
Whether it's volunteering to assist a teacher in the classroom, helping a parent at home, or supporting a friend in need, children often look for opportunities to contribute and be helpful. He saw that desire to help as one of the greatest strengths of young people.
As children grow older, however, those natural inclinations become less frequent. Miles worried that if volunteerism wasn't introduced early, many students would first encounter community service in high school, where it might feel more like a requirement than a meaningful experience. He believed that by engaging students while they are still eager to help, communities could nurture a lifelong commitment to service.
Just as importantly, Miles understood that kids want to have fun. Young people enjoy spending time with their friends, working together toward a common goal, and being part of something bigger than themselves. That's why Going the Extra Miles was built around the idea that community service should be engaging, social, and enjoyable.
By making volunteerism fun and rewarding from an early age, Miles hopes to help young people develop a lasting love of service—one that stays with them long after childhood and continues to strengthen communities for years to come.
Miles Murdocca founded Going the Extra Miles at age 13 after recognizing the need for young people to engage in community service and civic leadership.