New club strives to make a difference around the world

An idea that took root around the end of July has caused the creation of another club to add to the extracurricular activities at the high school. The name of this new organization is the Young Humanitarians.

Rick Williams, social studies teacher, sponsors the new and vibrant group.  He decided to sponsor the club because he wanted to create more ways for students to get involved in helping others.  

Megan S., so., is the president of the organization. The idea of the club started when she wanted to donate money to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Denver.

She also wanted to take a group of students there to hang out with the children for a week. She, along with junior Caitlyn W. approached Williams about creating the group when school started.

Williams is a humanitarian who believes that all humans should care for their fellow human; it’s really just a respect for human life. Also, he thinks that if it’s something the student values, it’s something he or she should do.

Megan’s idea follows along the same line as Williams’ does. She believes that being a humanitarian means that students care about helping people less fortunate even though the students are only teenagers.

This organization had to be approved by either Don Krebs, principal, or Larry Gable, vice-principal. Both thought it was great to see a student getting involved in helping others.  

“They were very happy and excited that I was starting a group,” Megan said.

Right now this group has a total of 30 students, which is larger than Megan had expected for the first year. One of her predictions did come true, as there are indeed more girls than boys in this group. She was even very close on the number of boys who would join this new group. She predicted two or three boys would join and there are four.

The club has already completed several humanitarian projects. They did the Sack Hunger Relief for the Genesis food drive at the Larned football game. For this project, they encouraged those coming to the game to bring canned goods to contribute to Genesis.

Next they did the Beds for Africa fundraiser. They asked students to come to school in their pajamas and donate money to buy beds for children in Africa. They raised $820 for the project. 

Around Christmas, they wrapped gifts for the Wal-Mart Angel Tree. Finally they donated 11 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

They are currently in the process of searching for their next humanitarian project. They are meeting next week to discuss it.

Students who are looking to aid others can contact Williams to join this service group.