For the past 25 years, the Solanco High School (SHS) Interact Club, sponsored by the Rotary International's Southern Lancaster County Chapter, has given students an opportunity to participate in meaningful service projects while developing skills and making new friends. According to SHS Interact Club adviser Todd Brown, the interact club completes local service projects with the hope of raising awareness of resources that are available to people in Lancaster County.
Recently, members of the SHS Interact Club collected materials and crafted blankets, which were donated to Project Linus. The national organization collects and distributes blankets to provide a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to adults and children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. The SHS Interact Club partnered with the Oxford High School Interact Club to maximize its efforts, which resulted in a donation of more than 65 blankets.
"This was a really great project for the Interact students," commented Brown. "They were excited about it from the get-go."
First, students organized a donation drive to which students and staff donated materials and funds. Then, over the course of three days, the club members worked diligently sewing, combining materials, and finishing the blankets. During the project, several members learned more about the purpose of Project Linus, which Brown said aided the development of their empathy skills. Brown noted that the school community was very encouraging, and Scott and Linda Groff provided the club with a generous donation.
This is the first Interact club project that SHS sophomores La'Niecia Taylor and Donnette Huber participated in.
"I liked doing this," said La'Niecia. "I enjoyed it. It was for a really good cause."
"We're glad we were able to help out, and we would definitely do it again," stated Donnette.
"As the students got further into the project, they felt more ownership and said, 'Wow, I'm really actually making a difference,' and realized the bigger picture," explained Brown. "It's about helping people out and serving others."
To learn more about Project Linus, visit http://www.projectlinus.org.
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