“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” – Princess Diana

At West Springfield High School approximately 50 students volunteer and fundraise through Key Club, a student-led club under Kiwanis, an international community service organization. Members of Key Club International learn how to become leaders, advocates and well-rounded students by showing random acts of kindness to their community. There are over 5,000 Key Clubs across the globe, consisting of 270,000 students. The numbers are forever increasing as more students strive to learn fundamental leadership skills to apply to their life and boost self-confidence. Ms. Moore, the adviser, added, “It’s a great way just to give back to the community. It’s hard to say and see sometimes but somebody’s always has it worse off than you.”

The Key Club endeavors to raise money for organizations that help teens and children or animals in need or improve the local community. “As an international club, Key Club has great connections. We are able to see what we’re doing as as a local club but on a global scale,” Ms. Moore stated. Annually, members collect money in October for UNICEF to abolish maternal and neonatal tetanus and partner with other international projects like the Clean Water Initiative. The high school has been working on organizing a fundraiser each term for a charity. Last year, students sold concessions and raffle tickets at spring sports games and matches and raised over $300 for a one-woman run animal shelter in Uruguay.

“Key Club is a way to help people on a much larger scale. Some people don’t really have the opportunity to help others by themselves or in a small group. Key Club is a good and easy way to access all the materials you need in other to either fundraise or help for whatever cause,” President Vincent Nguygen said. Key Club is an efficient way for students to gain community service hours, whether it be required for NHS, church, or just for pleasure. Students can sign up to help out at events in local elementary schools and the middle school, provide child care, serve at Dante Club dinners, clean the environment, collect donations at lunch or games for charities, etc. Every September, the Key Club serves at the Lion’s Club at the Big E; students collect orders and sometimes cook there. “I see West Springfield at its finest with Key Club. I know that there’s always people I can go to anytime someone in town needs help. I know I’m going to have people tripping over themselves to do whatever they can. It’s a very helpful, supportive group so those in Key Club know they always have someone they can count on,” advisor Ms. Moore remarked.

At meetings, the Key Club board, consisting of President Vincent Nguygen, Secretary Jenna Teodorescu, Vice President Jackie Huang, and Treasurer Natalie Armstrong, carry out their composed agenda for the day. They will discuss goals, new volunteering opportunities to sign up for, and brainstorm fundraising opportunities, and two members of Kiwanis oversee the meeting. This year the club wants to improve consistent attendance to meetings, for as the end of the year approaches number begin to dwindle. Key Club needs all the support it can get in order to accomplish fundraising goals. Advisor Ms. Moore is looking to see the club reach over 1000 community service hours, and top last year’s record. The more success Key Club has, the better West Springfield is represented at DCON, a convention where Key Clubs all around the district gather to discuss their past actions and future goals.

Volunteering helps teenagers grow as people and learn how to interact with others and build social skills. Ms. Moore added, “It definitely helps you grow as a person. It helps you find who you are, helps build your confidence, especially as you’re going to help at different places and making ton of connections with people in town and out of it. As proof, junior Vincent Nguygen explained that Key Club wasn’t only a great way for him to meet new people but it allowed him to find himself, become more helpful and positive in his life. If you’re looking to make a change in the community and your life, join Key Club in LGI A118 on Thursdays after school.