Clubs shape their communities, change their world

PHOTO/ Amy Ta President Jintaya Lopez and member Heather Chala promote Temple City Key Club at Club Rush during lunch on Sept. 20. The club promotes helping the community through service.

By Allison Chow
Staff Writer

From rushing around grabbing garbage for a race, braiding a mat using plastic bags and watching a homemade volcano erupt, TCHS clubs change the world in a variety of ways through fundraisers and social events.

Region 13 Key Club

Region 13 Key Club had their annual coastal clean up on Aug. 13 at Santa Monica Beach. 

They split into 16 groups to cover more areas of the beach while also stirring up some friendly competition between the groups. 

“We were off to the races and all 16 groups spread out with a trash bag and a dream of victory,” sophomore Theo Lu said. “After two hours worth of blood, sweat, tears and trash, the region regrouped and amassed more than 16 trash bags worth of garbage.”

Being one of the first community service projects in August hosted by Key Club, they have positively impacted Santa Monica Beach’s wildlife population and cleared potential polluted waters caused by the trash.

Temple City Key Club, part of Division 10 North, a subdivision of Region 13 Key Club, is a community service based organization. They aim to improve the community by hosting social, fundraising and service events.

During the summer, Key Club directly aided the community by setting up cotton candy stalls for Concerts in the Park at Temple City Park.

“Region Beach Clean-Up is one of the various engaging service activities that Key Club has hosted to help out a greater cause,” D10N Executive Assistant Liana Kong said. “We hope for students to give back to their community through the many opportunities offered by Key Club.”

Wings of TC

Wings of TC strives to advocate for  Temple City’s houseless community by hosting fundraisers and donation drives.

Currently, WOTC is partnering with San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust to open tiny homes, which helps relocate the houseless to temporary housing. The club plans to make housewarming kits to give to future residents.

By educating students and breaking down stereotypes and stigma of the houseless community, WOTC has shared the message of having an open perspective on everyone’s lives and the importance of giving back.

“I really hope we get to be more hands-on this year,” social media manager Madison Gillilan said. “That way we can truly engage our members in helping the community and emphasize how important it is to give back.”

Up and Atom

Chartered last year, Up and Atom introduces kids to science through home experiments.

The club educates children about the experiments they perform with the club members. In the previous year when they made paper plate volcanoes, Up and Atom members would explain different types of volcanoes or different rocks that would form because of volcanoes.

Through community service, Up and Atom provides elementary students with early opportunities to learn about science and scientific curiosity about the world.