Freshmen Alaina Tanis (left), Ashika Krishna (middle) and Kenzie Rohrer (right) make origami flowers during a Key Club volunteer event on Feb. 26. The flowers were created as part of the club’s service efforts to support the community.

Key Club is planning several events this spring, including a 5K walk, an art auction, and a leadership summit, to raise awareness and funds for water scarcity in Ethiopia. The events are part of a grant initiative intended to increase service opportunities for students while supporting communities facing limited access to clean water. Club leaders say the events will also allow community members to participate.

Rohan Parikh, outreach officer and sophomore said the events are designed to involve people beyond the school.

“The events are going to be open to the public like the 5K walk,” Parikh said. “We’re hoping to incorporate community members so we can get more engagement and fundraise more.”

Parikh said Key Club members currently work in leadership teams to organize and prepare for the events. These teams are responsible for planning logistics, advertising opportunities and gathering materials needed for activities such as the 5K walk and art auction.

Key Club is also working with the Kiwanis Club of Carmel, which sponsors the school’s chapter. The organizations hope to host a leadership summit where Kiwanis members can share professional experience and leadership advice with students.

Gayle Webb, Kiwanis Club of Carmel sponsor for Key Club, said the summit may include mentorship and career guidance from members with experience in different professions.

“We are hoping that some of our Kiwanis members who have expertise in different fields could help present to the students,” Webb said. “There may be a section where it’s mentorship and what they need to do to align for their college aspirations and work.”

Students involved in the club have begun promoting the events online and encouraging participation through social media and school outreach.

“People at Carmel are doing what they can to help people across the world, and efforts like these can make a real difference in helping communities gain access to clean water,” said Parikh. By Amy Xu