Watkins Key Club Starts A New Year Of Service
Updated: Oct 6
By: Karuna Ghaley
Key Club is returning to Watkins Memorial High School for another year of service; giving students opportunities to volunteer and make a difference in their community.
What is Key Club?
Key Club is a student-led organization focused on community service. Ms. Butcher, a Social Studies teacher and Key Club ambassador at Watkins Memorial, said the organization is one of the oldest and largest student-led organizations in the world.
Key Club is part of an international organization with clubs beyond the United States. “Key Club is first and foremost a volunteer service organization,” Ms. Butcher said.
Making A Difference Through Service
The club's main goal is to help improve the community through different service projects.
In the past, members have participated in food drives, hygiene drives, and soup kitchens.
They also visited food pantries, made cards for local nursing homes, and created dog toys for the Humane Society. Key Club has also worked on fundraisers. One project included a pancake breakfast for the Angelman Foundation, which raises money for research into a rare disease.
Aasish Takes On Leadership
Aasish Bhattarai, a senior and Key Club president, is entering his second year in the Club. After attending DLC - a meet where you get to see other Key Club members - Aasish said he realized how many possibilities Key Club has to help others.
As president, Aasish is responsible for helping run the club and coming up with ideas that can help it grow. He said, “One of the most important parts of my role is being able to help people,” Aasish hopes members will enjoy their time in Key Club while also creating memories and helping others.
New Projects for the School Year
The club is also planning several new service projects for this school year. One upcoming project is a suicide prevention fundraiser, where members will make ribbons and collect donations for a local mental health organization that works with teenagers and young adults. Key Club may also hold a hygiene drive in partnership with United Way of Pataskala. Members are also interested in working with the Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry and completing more service projects outside of school.
Key Club Returns To Watkins
Key Club recently returned to Watkins Memorial High School after being inactive during the Covid-19 pandemic. This year marks it’s second year back. The club is sponsored by Kiwanis, which also supports Key Clubs at Granville, Newark, Health, and Bexley high schools.
Kiwanis is the adult organization connected to Key Club. Together, the organization gives students opportunities to become involved in service at the local, state, and international levels.
Everyone is Welcome
For students interested in joining, Ms. Butcher said everyone is welcome. She said the club is not exclusive and focuses on helping others. This club is a great opportunity to earn volunteer hours and honors diplomas.
Another part of Key Club that makes the organization special is the sense of community amongst its members, coming together, having fun, and working toward the same goal of helping others. With food drives, fundraisers, and other service projects planned throughout the year, Key Club members have plenty of opportunity to get involved in their community.
JOIN!
You can join Key Club by attending meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of the month after school in Ms. Butcher's room, A131. Just show up to join!
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