Club Spotlight: Key Club
Key Club members Lucas Hsiong, Nathaniel Driggs, Jayda Nalamlieng and Tyler Smith load gifts to be delivered to children worldwide (Irena Yang/Talon).
Oak Park Key Club has participated in a vast array of volunteering and fundraising projects this holiday season, all designed to complement its mission statement – service to others.
After holding a holiday gift donation drive and enjoying a weeklong packing extravaganza, Key Club members packaged over 70 shoeboxes worth of toys, school supplies and clothing for Operation Christmas Child, a nationwide effort to give underprivileged children around the world gifts for Christmas.
“I’m extremely impressed,” teacher and Key Club advisor Todd Creason said regarding the project.
Although this is the club’s first year participating in the event, the members surpassed their goal of 50 shoeboxes.
Giftwrapping at Barnes and Nobles as well as a faculty giftwrapping fundraiser are other projects that have occupied members throughout the month of December.
Beyond these holiday themed service projects, members regularly volunteer at the Medea Creek Teen Center, the PetSmart Adoption Clinic and special needs organization Friendship Circles.
“We wanted to create a lot of volunteering opportunities for our members so they could try different things and ultimately find something they are passionate about,” senior Irena Yang said.
Yang and senior Tyler Smith are co-presidents for the 2014-2015 school year.
Key Club has over 100 members this year, and many of these are underclassmen who have found a community within the club.
“I like volunteering and helping others,” sophomore Diane Kim stated. “I like how Key Club is part of the school so you feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself.”
Key Club is an international organization with chapters in 32 countries. Members build character, develop leadership skills and serve not only their community, but also charity organizations overseas.
As part of the donation drive this December, Oak Park Key Club also collected money for the Eliminate Project, an effort toward eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus by immunizing mothers in the poorest nations. The club members additionally participated in two restaurant fundraisers as well as trick-or-treat for UNICEF in the fall, which raised almost 300 dollars.
“[Key Club] makes me feel like I’m working for a higher cause,” senior Luke Wulf said.
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