By Nicolas Ngo, Staff Writer
“Ever since I joined ASB at Oak, I was able to see how working with your community can help others,” sophomore
Lauren Chee said. “My experience motivated me to improve our community as a whole and to assist those in need.”
Sophomore Lauren Chee sighed in frustration as she scanned the disheveled, neglected donations cluttering the storefronts of her local Goodwill. Upon learning about the strain on large thrift stores who were unable to accept anymore donations during quarantine, Chee soon realized that she was unable to donate her own bags of clothing. This sparked a drive to establish an outlet for students looking to provide aid for those in their local community and who truly needed them.
“My goal for DRIVE is that the students who are involved in our club feel inspired to do more for their community,” Chee said. “I hope that DRIVE can be a stepping stone for TC students to understand what impact they can make on others.”
DRIVE, which stands for “donating resources to improve variable environments,” is a first-year community service club founded by Chee and sophomore Brianna Tang. Wanting to make DRIVE a unique organization, Chee began formulating ideas about how to support local groups in the area.
As part of their pledge to advocate for nonprofit organizations within their community, the club partners with a different group each month. Chee and Tang decide their monthly partnership based on factors such as how their mission aligns with club values, accessibility of the physical location and how much of an impact volunteers can make. Then, they work closely with the organizations and create volunteer opportunities according to the charity’s purpose.
“It feels empowering to make an impact in my community,” Tang said. “It has been exhilarating to know we are making a difference. It brought true happiness to me knowing that DRIVE could bring a smile to these people during such difficult times.”
Since the club’s inception, Chee and Tang partnered with two nonprofits, Fire Family Foundation and Aviva Family and Children’s Services. In November, DRIVE sponsored Fire Family Foundation’s Virtual Fire Boot Classic, where they raised donations for firefighters and their families affected by California fires. During December, they offered virtual volunteering opportunities, such as arts and crafts sessions and a storytime reading for the children at Emperor and La Rosa Elementary Schools. The club also participated in Aviva’s Annual Holiday Drive, where they donated approximately 350 toys to low-income families in LA.
“My community has done so much for me and I want to be able to repay its kindness in any way possible,” Chee said. “That’s why DRIVE has worked closely with the elementary schools in our community and found it essential to put in our best effort to see how we can help students have a positive school experience.”
COVID-19 presented challenges to DRIVE’s initial plan of in-person donation drives; and as a result, the club focuses more on social media marketing and online volunteering events. In order to participate within the club, prospective volunteers must attend monthly club meetings where representatives from charities speak on behalf of their cause. DRIVE hopes to increase its membership and impact on the community through greater social media content, reaching out to more nonprofits and overall providing families with the resources they need during this difficult time.
“Ever since I joined ASB at Oak, I was able to see how working with your community can help others,” sophomore Lauren Chee said. “My experience motivated me to improve our community as a whole and to assist those in need.”