CHS Key Club: A small group with big dreams

Published: Sunday, January 10, 2010

A key element in improving any community is encouraging young people to volunteer in an attempt to improve the greater good. In Litchfield, the Campbell High School Key Club is unlocking the doors of opportunity for the less fortunate in the area and all over the world by donating money, time and even socks to those who need them most.

Every Monday afternoon, 30 or more eager students gather to chat, laugh and collaborate to improve the community through volunteerism and fundraising.

“I really enjoy going to Key Club,” senior Kevin Driscoll said. “I feel like I’m doing something good and having fun with my friends at the same time.”

The Key Club, the oldest and largest service program for high school students, is a branch of Kiwanis International. The club exists in more than 5,000 high schools across the world, and has been active in Litchfield since 2006.

The club – led by President Amanda Curran, Vice President Alyson Stapleton, Secretary Andrew Boutselis and Treasurer Evan Leith – has participated in many service projects so far this year. In September, the club volunteered at Litchfield’s 275th anniversary celebration, and in October and November, donations were collected for UNICEF to supply aid to impoverished children around the world.

The Key Club’s forthcoming service project is the annual clothing drive, which has reaped huge donations in recent years to go to disadvantaged families in the area. Last year, the club collected enough clothing to fill a walk-in closet.

“It’s a great fundraiser because the donations go to people in our community,” Curran said. “We want to make sure everyone has warm clothes to wear this winter.”

The club has many ideas for future projects, including sending school supplies and toys to children in Iraq. Club members are also interested in donating cell phones and money to the U.S. troops overseas and helping community members clean up their yards in the spring.

“We have so many ideas for future projects,” Stapleton said. “The possibilities are endless – hopefully, we can accomplish them all.”

Writer and anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Although the Key Club has meager funds and limited time, its members manage to do huge things with the resources they have.

Thanks to the Key Club’s dedicated members, fewer children will go hungry, fewer students will go without supplies and more Litchfield residents will have the clothing to keep them warm this winter.

Rebecca Howard is a senior at Campbell High School in Litchfield.