Julie Saetre
Key Club members didn’t wait to be asked if they would help with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. They jumped in by immediately proceeding with projects, from collections of cash and clothing to diapers and dog food. To students in the Clements High School Key Club in Athens, Alabama, the cause was personal: This northern Alabama city experienced its own disaster in April 2011, when a super outbreak of tornadoes devastated several areas over a two-day period.
“When we went through the tornadoes, it was a really bad time,” member Tess Mclyea told Huntsville, Alabama, television station WAFF. “A lot of people helped us, so this is a way to give back and help.”
Added fellow member Jennifer Strickert, “We had a lot of help and support during those tough times, and we just want to give back what we got. We want to show the support that we felt.”
Here’s how Key Clubs are joining relief efforts—and how you can help them.
Clements High School, Athens, Alabama
Project: Raising funds with goal of $10,000 to purchase backpacks and shoes. Donations being taken via donation jars on teacher desks and a Go Fund Me site. Club members plan to personally deliver the items in September.
To help: gofundme.com/clements-high-is-helping-se-texas
Columbia Central High School Key Club, Columbia, Tennessee
Project: Assembling hygiene kits containing bar soap, wash cloths, hand towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, adhesive wraps, combs, deodorant and nail clippers. The United Methodist Committee on Relief will distribute kits to storm victims the weekend of Sept. 9.
To help: Mail check to 1921 Lion Parkway, Columbia, TN 38401. Make check out to Central High School and note Key Club on the memo. Checks must be received no later than Sept. 7.
Cypress Ranch Key Club, Cypress, Texas
Project: Giving members service hours for participating in relief efforts. The club will participate in donation drives when school begins on Sept. 5.
To help: 281-373-2300
Johnson High School Key Club, San Antonio, Texas
Project: Collecting cleaning supplies, trash bags, bottled water and clothing donations.
To help:
Kennedale High School, Kennedale, Texas
Project: Club collecting donations for families (water, nonperishable food), children (diapers) and pets (dry cat and dog food).
To help: 817-563-8100
Legacy High School Key Club, Mansfield, Texas
Project: Members collecting donations during lunch hour for Texas high schools impacted by the storm
To help: legacy-key-club.weebly.com/contact.html
Rudder High School Key Club and Bryan High School Key Club (both in Bryan, Texas)
Project: Collecting monetary donations for relief efforts.
To help: Send donations to Rudder Key Club, 3251 Austins Colony Parkway, Bryan, Texas 77808
Seton Catholic Central Key Club, Binghamton, New York
Project: Hosting a Chipotle fundraiser on Sept. 27, 5–9 p.m. The Key Club will receive half of the proceeds, which will be donated to purchase school supplies, toiletries, clothes and shoes for students in hurricane-hit areas.
To help: Eat at the Vestal Parkway Chipotle, 4698 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY 13850 during the fundraiser.