Stars and Strides Run
MA, Piedmont Hills High School, D12E
I was basically Mr. Beast today. My journey started at 7 AM on a Saturday near the Children’s Discovery Museum. I was working at a snack booth for the Stars and Strides run, and at around 10 AM, we realized that we had at least 20 or 30 extra 12-pack cases of water and 10 or so 45-pack boxes of Goldfish crackers left. Like any sensible volunteers who had the opportunity to be generous like Mr. Beast without actually having to pay for the giveaway items, we started handing full cases and boxes to the runners who had stayed around. Word got out that we were giving free stuff out; as expected, we started attracting more customers. After some time, we ran out, but it was fun while it lasted. Afterward, I searched up "Hint water cases" and they are only about $10 each. Although I would not say that we were on the level of Mr. Beast, I would say we were pretty close.
Region 16 Colorsplash
ST, Brandon Hoopes, D27N
The Region 16 Colorsplash event was held at Elk Grove Regional Park in (if you could take a wild guess) Elk Grove on July 9th from 10AM-1PM. The event attendance encompassed key clubbers from every division from Region 16. Remember that Region 16 (an utmost sweet region for that matter!) is made up of the following divisions: D07N, D07S, D07W, D27N, D27S, D44N, D44S, and D44W. After registration was finally taken of, attendees all gathered around the lovely LTGs as they instructed us on how to move forward. The LTGs instructed that D07N, D07S, D07W, and D44N would have their respective DCMs while the remaining divisions get started on the main portion of the event: games!! The first couple of games were played between the rest of the divisions that were not presently in a DCM, however the rest of the attendees filled in as time went on, and some even finished quick enough to play the final round of the second game. The entire game schedule went as follows: hot potato race, man over board, sharks and minnows, water ballon toss, and water assembly line. Hot potato race was based around teamwork in which two groups created circles as well as game plans on how to get everyone to catch the ball and sit down quicker than the other competing group. Man over board was a “Simon says” based game which introduced poses that varied in the amount of people needed, going as low as 1, and as high as 5. This went on go on until one person is left standing. Sharks and minnows was pretty straight forward. Sharks tagged people trying to get from point a to point b, and those who got “out” became immobile sharks who could tag as well. The last to “survive” the sharks won the round. Water balloon toss is pretty straight forward as well, multiple partners would throw each other a bloom at increasing distances until one pair remained. The fifth and final game was water assembly line, in which several groups formed lines that had to shift a drenched shirt up over the head for some and underneath the legs for others. The last person in the line would go up front and repeat the process. In order to complete the game each group needed to get the person originally in the front of the chain to once again move up to the front of the line. After the games were finally over (unfortunately), the event moved on to a “before” group picture prior to everyone throwing up color dust in the air, and ultimately took an “after” photo as well. The last part of the event, but certainly not the least (and in my personal opinion, I think it was one of the best portions of the colorsplash!), it was finally time to throw up color dust packets, which everyone received two of (I got two oriole, myself). After closing my eyes after the initial release, it was pleasant to see all of the colors in the air above us, around us, and ON us! Colorsplash hasn’t been around since 2019, but I’m happy to report that it has lost no magic since that year!!
Kupuna Spelling Bee
AY, Kauai, D22M
On June 20th, 2023, Kauai High School Key Club attended the Kupuna Spelling Bee, which was held at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Before the spelling bee started, members helped carry out beverages for guests. Members also helped the spellers make their way up to their seats so they didn’t get injured or have any trouble getting up the stage to their seats. After the spelling bee finished, Key Club members gave the following 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners their metals and leis. To wrap up their shift, Key Club ensured that everything was cleaned up and put away. They helped pack up leftover beverages, put away chairs, break down tables, and throw away trash left by guests. This is not a small task, and it was clear that the Key Club members were committed to ensuring that the convention hall was left in pristine condition.
Cat Shelter
SH, Etiwanda, D15N
On June 20th, Etiwanda held their first ever Cat Shelter Volunteering event. This was a new event presented by the Etiwanda Executive board, and was our third service event of the summer. Since the event was announced at our Virtual Meeting in early June, I have been insanely excited. When I arrived at the shelter, the owners David and Stefanie were both so welcoming. They had a huge facility with over 30+ of the cutest rescue cats. Over the course of 3 hours, members were tasked with cleaning, socializing, and organizing the cat rooms. All of our members really enjoyed this event, and seeing all of these amazing animals was such a beautiful experience. My first task was cleaning cat towers in the room with the oldest cats, and I spent a few hours socializing with the cats, swiffering the floor, and chatting with Karlie and William. Once the event was coming to an end, we chatted with the owners for a while and they were so grateful for our help. They were such amazing people and donated some fundraising supplies to our club, as a way of giving back to us. If you’re interested in adopting a rescue cat check out Sierra Pacific Furbabies in Riverside, California. We had an amazing member and officer turnout, and overall this was such a rewarding experience, and I would definitely love to visit again.
Charity Miles Competition
GG, Enochs, D46N
Charity Miles is both fun and rewarding, making it a fantastic way to give back. This innovative app combines exercise with charitable giving, making every step count towards a good cause. Whether I am walking, running, or cycling, Charity Miles tracks my distance and donates money to my chosen charity for each mile completed. It turns everyday workouts into opportunities to support organizations making a positive impact. Just this summer, I have already walked more than 20 hours for the Shared Hope International Charity. Furthermore, currently Enochs High School is having a friendly competition through this app, adding an element of fun and motivation to my fitness routine. By using Charity Miles, I am able to improve my health, make a difference, and enjoy the satisfaction of doing good in the world.