They were decorated with brightly colored polka-dots, stripes and other designs. Some were painted to resemble emojis or donuts.
“We have done this service activity for the past three years, and usually it’s a club favorite, said CHS Key Club advisor Emily Schwalich. “It’s a fun activity that allows the students to get creative and work toward making something that we hope will brighten the day of (many patients) at Dayton Children’s.”
The hospital has also received Valentine’s Day cards and tissue paper flowers in the past from this service organization. The Key Club is sponsored by the Kettering-Centerville Kiwanis Club. It is open to all students who are dedicated to making a change in both the local and global communities through fundraising and acts of service in Greater Dayton.
There are currently 75 student members who have stepped up to that challenge. Senior Amy Amand has been the president of the club for the past two years, an officer for three years, and a member for four years.
“The students that I see each time come in with such energy and are ready to participate in whatever activity we have planned that day,” said Amand. “I’m so happy that together we can make a difference in our community.”
Other officers in the CHS Key Club are: senior Nailah Ghouse, and juniors Addy Messerly, Deborah Lee, Madeline Mills and Amisha Saini.
“The officers do a great deal of behind-the-scenes work for the club and generate a lot of the service activity ideas,” said Schwalich.
Past community service activities are almost too numerous to list. The club has made blankets for refugee/homeless families placed by Catholic Social Services, created notes of encouragement tucked into the backpacks of DPS K-8 students, and written letters of gratitude to active military members and veterans. They have volunteered at Ronald McDonald House, teamed up with Interact Club to provide necessities for the Dayton Artemis program, and helped serve pancakes at the annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. Other organizations that the Key Club members have volunteered for include: Hannah’s Treasure Chest, St. Vincent DePaul, House of Bread, and Centerville elementary schools.
This is Schwalich’s third year as CHS Key Club advisor, and she feels fortunate to have the backing of the Kiwanis Club.
“Kiwanis members have come into Key Club meetings and showed students how to sew trauma dolls for young hospital patients, coordinated service activities at Ronald McDonald House, and contributed funds to whatever service project we’re working on,” said Schwalich. “One of the best things about Key Club is seeing different parts of the community come together to help one another.”
The reach of the club extends beyond the community. The Global Service Organization the members have chosen to fundraise for this year is called “Healing Hearts in Nicaragua.” These funds will provide children in that Central American country with life-saving cardiac surgeries, along with medical supplies and training materials.
“The members of the club felt passionately about helping young people who don’t get the experience the standard of living that we often take for granted,” said Schwalich. “I think sometimes it’s easy to think about the problems that exist in our world and feel hopeless. These students are a constant reminder not only that there is plenty of good in the world, but also that there is always something we can do to make a difference.”
Contact this contributing writer at PamDillon@woh.rr.com.
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