Anna Kim, Key Club member and sophomore, completes volunteer work assembling care packages for senior citizens on March 20. This activity is one example of the club’s ongoing service projects before they begin preparations for their spring activities.

Key Club is continuing its student volunteer work in the community as it prepares for larger events later on, aimed at supporting water initiatives in Ethiopia. Club members say that focusing on smaller, local projects helps keep members engaged while building leadership skills.

Rohan Parikh, outreach officer and sophomore, said that the club’s current efforts focus on traditional service projects before the major grant-funded activities begin.

“We’ve been doing things like making care packages for local senior centers and helping out with community drives,” Parikh said. “It’s important that we’re active now, even before the bigger grant events.”

Co-president and senior Riya Koya said that these projects help members gain experience and learn teamwork.

“These local projects are a way for everyone to get involved and understand how to organize a service effort,” Koya said. “It’s also a way for newer members to step into leadership roles and try out different responsibilities before tackling those larger events that we’re planning, like the 5K or art auction later on.”

Gayle Webb, Kiwanis Club of Carmel sponsor for Key Club, said, “these types of activities teach students responsibility and collaboration overall, every project they take on now will help prepare them for more far-reaching initiatives.”

Parikh added that maintaining consistent community involvement helps inspire the club’s members to think globally.

Parikh said, “When we eventually organize the larger events for Ethiopia, we’ll already have the experience we need to make them successful.” By Amy Xu