Interact Club focuses on community service and projects based on giving back to the community. Members do many activities on and off of campus with the main goal of teaching students how to have empathy for others. It is also about learning how to be aware of people in need and how to make a plan to work for the greater good. This is all shown by the willingness of students to volunteer their time through events and activities that the club does.
There are several projects the club completes during the school year. During October, the Interact Club hosts a Socktober Drive, which is when students on campus donate new socks to help the homeless and people in need. Our local police take the donated socks and uses them in care packages for the homeless in our community. Students can donate new socks in their history classrooms or in Mrs. McCullough’s classroom 43.
The president of Interact Club, Mariah Washington (12) stated, “Interact is a club that I feel is very valuable to the community, and is rewarding to be a part of. Interact Club involves a lot of community service, so we’re always engaging with and helping people! As president, I’m in charge of running meetings, making sure events go smoothly, and corresponding with club members about times, dates, and expectations of meetings and events. Overall, I’m super proud of how much our club has grown, as well as the work we are doing for the community.”
During November and December, the Interact Club plans on selling candy cane grams for the local Angel Tree Program. The Angel Tree Program is when school nurses put students on a list who they think will not have a good Christmas. From these lists, their names will be put on a paper angel with their age, gender, and Christmas wishes. After Thanksgiving, the Christmas trees will be up in multiple stores or businesses with these paper angels. All of the profits for the candy cane grams sold through Interact will go to purchasing gifts for those children. Last year Interact raised enough money for 12 children.
The treasurer Mia Llanez, (12) said, “Interact Club is about spreading kindness and putting in the time and effort to support the community.”
The Interact Club is a junior level club to Los Banos’ Rotary Club. Members are expected to assist with their events throughout the year. Some of the Rotary club events include the pancake breakfast, Empty Bowls, and their crab feed. The Rotary Club provides services and works to better the community. They help support Sober Grad Night and senior scholarships. They also put on Camp Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) for eligible juniors.
Interact Club also works with city parks and rec. to paint fences that has graffiti, help paint basketball courts. There are organizations who want reach out for help. The two new events the Interact club is helping with are the Boys and Girls Club fundraiser and News Beginnings Church Harvest Fun Fest.
There are many benefits for students involved in the Interact Club, for example, it teaches others to help others. It also helps with leadership to learn how to take charge of fundraising, communication, building their network and improving the community. Giving up your time is a big part of being involved in an Interact club. Students have to find balance in their schedule and the most important thing is to communicate.
Advisor, Mrs. McCullough explained how the club came on campus, “When my daughter was a junior at this school, she and her friends wanted to do something important within the community. She researched and wanted to bring Interact back to our campus. She and her friends were officers during her senior year. She started the sock drive and the candy cane fundraiser for the Angel Tree. Both of these activities are ones I love dearly. That is why we continue these two events.”
There are many things that students and the school can do to help with the club. One is to join and sign up. Another is to look for needs in the community and there are so many things that people could help with. Lastly is don’t wait, be the change and be aware of what is around you. Donating to any events and volunteering is a great way to help your community.
For more information about Interact Club, stop by Mrs. McCullough’s class in room 43.
