School has started up again, which means that clubs and activities are back in full swing. There are so many clubs to choose from each week, so it is hard to pick just one. The big question for most students is, “How do I know which club is right for me?” Among the decisions of whether to go to Art Club, Chess Club, or Interact, I would like to make a case for choosing Key Club.
Key Club is a group led by Mr. Bender that focuses on giving back to our community. Sponsored by Kiwanis International- a nonprofit dedicated to improving many places around the world- Key Club strives to return the kindness we have received from our town. Every other week, we hold a meeting during clubs and activities to plan service trips and activities for the club to participate in. We have ties with Park Village Nursing Home and the Dover Elementary Schools that provide members with endless opportunities to get involved. The best part is that members get to choose which activities they are a part of, making the club events fit well into most schedules. Mr. Bender keeps track of each member’s service hours that can be counted toward graduation or for the National Honors Society; that is an added bonus to being a part of the club. We also do multiple fundraisers a year to raise money for charity and our club such as the Christmas Toy Drive, teacher jeans days, and the Kiss a Senior Goodbye spring fundraiser.
As the Vice President of Key Club, I get to see all of the behind-the-scenes planning and outcomes of the events we host. In each event we volunteer at, it is easy to see how much of an impact our club makes on people in the community. Personally, my favorite event last year was the Dover East Carnival that we helped the PTG run in the spring. Each student who helped out ran a carnival game in a classroom or worked in the store where the kids could spend the tickets they won from winning games. All the kids had smiles on their faces, and it made my day to see how much joy small games like ring toss can bring for little kids.
I recently interviewed our club President, Zander Ady. Zander is a Junior and third-year Key Club member. He was elected as our club president in the spring last school year. He has a lot of exciting plans for the club this year. Zander explained, “We as a club are making a big push to help give back and be a part of the elementary schools this year, we have several new events planned this year, and would be very grateful to have some new members come and join the fun!” He is also “very excited to see the freshman/new members help make an impact in our community and to be able to volunteer even more.” When asked about his favorite volunteer event, Zander responded, “My favorite event held in the past has to be the Share-A-Christmas toy drive. It is a great time to be able to give back to those who may need a little extra help during the holidays and to get together with another great group to make magic happen.” The Share-A-Christmas Toy Drive Zander referred to is a fundraiser we do with Interact that gives Christmas presents to kids who otherwise would not have anything to open on Christmas morning. At least half of our club funds go to this project, and we have a day where members get to get out of school and go to the mall to buy toys for the kids. It is a lot of fun. Zander also said that “[he] would encourage other students to join Key Club because it is an amazing opportunity to be able to give back to the community we are all so grateful for. Key Club isn’t just about volunteering to obtain service hours, it’s about showing appreciation and making an impact on our community.”
I also spoke to our club leader, Mr. Bender about the club this year. His favorite activity that we have done so far is the Olympic Games at Park Village, which is where a group of students visited the nursing home and ran carnival games for the residents. I personally really enjoyed that trip because of the warm welcome we received from the staff and residents, and they were all excited to play the games. Mr. Bender told me that he is looking forward to “meeting all of the new members and working with a great group of officers” this year. He also noted that “we plan to do a group project, which the members will decide on.” He wants to remind students that “we are always open to new opportunities to volunteer” in our community. Mr. Bender wants students considering joining the club to know that “Key Club is flexible to how busy students are, so you don’t have to volunteer at every event. Also, it is a great way to meet new friends, make a difference in the community, and have fun building memories.”
All exciting events aside, Key Club is what our members make it. We would not have this club if it were not for each and every student who puts in the effort to problem solve and create ideas for volunteer opportunities. This is what is so great about Key Club. Each and every idea and plan is important, and no proposal is overlooked. Key Club goes from being just a club to being OUR club. So in this time of deciding which club to dedicate time and effort to, consider Key Club as a worthy contender.
