Juniors Cole Stark and Matthew Hicks became the co-founders of Real Help Club, a unique community service club, this year. Acumen sat down with them to talk about how they serve.

What was your original motivation to start Real Help Club?

Matthew Hicks: “It was my friend and I’s idea. We just realized that we have such a good community in Carmel and not too far from us are people that need help.”

Cole Stark: “Last year I came to the realization that I was just so lucky, and I was appreciating everything I had, so I just wanted to get more involved with the community. I went to homeless shelters; I felt like it was the right thing to do. Once I was more involved, I had this feeling of internal fulfillment. I thought, ‘Why can only I feel this way?’ Then next year I got Matt involved, and I told him my idea and just ran with it. I had really great feedback.

What type of projects do you want to work on?

CS: “We’ve done things with retirement homes, we worked with special need at Special Olympics, wrote letters to Veterans. Stuff like that.”

MH: “In the future we hope to get involved with Riley Hospital and Dance Marathon. We’ve been looking into that for a while; that’s a future event we’re trying to focus on.”

What are your hopes for the club this year?

MH: “To be more involved; reaching out to more people. In the past, (for) the people we helped, the group has been small. We hope to better impact more people’s lives.”

What have you learned from your experience in creating this club?

MH: “Something I’ve learned is it’s really rewarding when you give back, when you help out these people.”

CS: “It takes a lot of effort, but it does pay off in the end. Kids want to help; some need to be directed on where to help, they need someone to push them. I learned that so many people and kids are much more willing than I thought.”

What are you doing to make a difference?

MH: “I try playing my part by helping schedule events, contact(ing) people, contact(ing) organizations.”

CS: “Starting the club, I’m trying to make a difference, trying to encourage others to want to help, encourage others to experience such an amazing feeling and trying to make leaders.”