Connor Brownfield | Reporter
Lending a helping hand is a little harder from six feet away, but that is not stopping Avon’s volunteer clubs from doing what they can.
Some events had to be cancelled, but the presidents of National Honor Society, Interact Club, and the Avon School and Community Ambassador Program (ASCAP, for short) have still organized projects to help teachers, students, and other members of the community. Interact Club President Emily Kihlstrom said that a lot has had to change, but there are still ways to help others.
“We’re trying to think of different ways of how we can give back to the community while doing activities at school. In our last club meeting, we created cards for veterans and teachers. So, we’re to trying to recognize people who have done great things and find ways to still help,” Kihlstrom said.
National Honor Society President Sam Crook agrees with Kihlstrom. Crook said that COVID-19 has made organizing volunteer opportunities even harder this year, which has forced some unique solutions.
“It has been harder to get input from other members of NHS, so me and the other officers have compiled places to volunteer on a Google Doc that we have shared with all members of NHS, so they can contact places and still go volunteer,” Crook said.
Despite the best efforts of club leaders, some events have had to be cancelled due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ASCAP President Lauren Ooley said that the beginning of the school year was particularly tough.
“At the start of the school year we were not able to do events, PTO meetings, and club gatherings. We are not allowed to touch items that have been donated for multiple days. Stuff like that has made things a lot harder this year,” Ooley said.
In spite of these difficulties, Interact Club Sponsor Heather Meunier said that volunteering is more important than ever.
“Whether it is writing notes, whether it is donating time or donating financially, I think there are still ways we can serve others. We just have to be creative about it,” Meunier said.
It does not have to be big gestures either. Crook said that small things can go a long way when it comes to taking care of others.
“A lot of people just want to be checked up on, so talk to elderly people or people at your church that you have not seen in a while. Let them know that there are people who care about them,” Crook said.
Like Crook, Kihlstrom is confident that Avon Clubs will be helping out now more than ever this school year.
“I feel like people generally want to help out other people,” Kihlstrom said.
Photo submitted by Interact Club.
The Avon Echo 