Candy Cane Lane
JL, Lakewood, D19N
On Sunday, December 17th 2023, Region 8 gathered together for a small Christmas celebration! This convention took place at Browning High School from 3pm to 7pm. Each division started to set up their booths in the designated area, using creative designs and treats to show their holiday spirit. Within the school, the region provided a warm and cozy area, a perfect atmosphere to watch a movie and create cards to gain service hours. As the event started, booths were able to sell their delicious menu items, amazing for the winter season. For instance, Lakewood Key Club sold delicious, warm, and hand made sugar cookies that were advertised with Key Club spirit. Many of the participants at the Candy Cane Lane greatly supported the clubs with their purchases. Along with appetizing food, the event provided lots of exciting activities such as cookie and ornament decorating, a polaroid booth, a gift unwrapping challenge, and pin the nose on rudolph! These activities were a great way to bond with fellow district members and create fond memories. It was truly a magical night full of new fun memories!
Lutheran Social Services
MP, Westlake, D42E
The Lutheran Social Services service project was a service opportunity where we distributed sandwiches, snacks, and water. We also distributed essential items such as socks, tissues, gloves, and beanies. This service project occurs on an approximate bi-monthly basis, and for the next time, there is a possibility items such as blankets and shavers will be added. This service project was extremely worthwhile because we were able to provide for one of the most vulnerable populations and were able to make their day. As we head into the new year, Westlake High School Key Club officers will be looking into different approaches and methods on how we can increase participation in service projects as well!
Placer Food Bank Boxing
JL, Antelope, D44W
On Thursday, December 22nd, our club brought 11 students to the Placer Food Bank warehouse. Throughout the day, our volunteers assisted with sorting out the food items, distributing them into boxes, as well as packaging everything up to get them ready to be sent out to families-in-need throughout the community. The 5 hours of service included manually folding and taping up each individual box to hauling 50 pound boxes of vegetables across the warehouse. In the end, our efforts helped the Placer Food Bank package up over 500 boxes of goods!
Toy Drive
LL, Florin, D07S
Participating in the Christmas Toy Drive was a heartwarming experience. Engaging with little kids in arts and crafts, especially those who only spoke Chinese, allowed me to develop a unique connection as I fluently communicated the language with them. During the lively raffle, I assisted the children by carrying prizes on stage, even though my attempt to win an iPad was unsuccessful. The event then concluded with a delightful meal, symbolizing the importance of community and the spirit of giving. My day was a mix of cultural bridging, excitement, and fulfillment, creating lasting memories in the festive atmosphere of the Christmas Toy Drive.
Adopt a Highway Cleanup
JT, Kauai, D22M
On December 3rd, Kauai High School Key Club attended their first Adopt a Highway Clean Up. It was a Sunday morning when many Key Clubbers as well as the Kiwanis Club met up at the Otsuka’s Furniture parking lot by Target. Soon, members were divided into two groups, which were then designated into different parts of cleaning the Nāwiliwili Highway and Niumalu Road. As they traveled by truck near the bottom of the highway, members were given trash bags and gloves as well as instructions to pick up trash that we could find on the side of the highway. After an hour of walking back up, their trash bags were quite filled and it was surprising to see how much trash there really was when you’re not sitting in a car. In the end, I feel successful because we were able to pick up trash that would most likely remain there if it weren’t for our efforts. I found this event enjoyable because we were able to help clean our community bond together as a team. I highly recommend members to participate in this event again if it happens again since it’s not everyday you are able to clean up a highway.