Volunteering. Helping. Caring. Key Club is a program that helps students learn howto become a better citizen to the community.

This organization offers its members with opportunities to provide services for their community, develop leadership skills and to build character. There are around 30 members who volunteer at least three times a month at various organizations.

“Key Club is really fun because we get to help our community out,” vice president Angela Schiff said. “It’s an incredible feeling to have when you know you’ve helped someone that’s in need.”

Members have volunteered at several animal-related organizations, donating time at local animal shelters and a horse rehabilitation center.

“You meet so many new people while volunteering at these local events,” senior Brett Meyer said. “By interacting and communicating with people I just met, I became less shy and more confident in myself.”

The club has also helped with some larger projects. Last year, they helped paint a low-income pre-school, and they planted trees in Bastrop, which was devastated by one of the most destructive wildfires in Texas history. In September of this year, club members spent a Saturday morning helping beautify the school grounds of Wooldridge Elementary School in Austin. The club was also part of the annual Trunk or Treat, painting faces and handing out candy.

“The fall projects went really well,” junior Samantha Hull said. “The projects helped the club by giving us opportunities to serve others, which is what Key club is all about.”

Recently, Key Club got together during Advocate to make sweet greetings for the older generaton.

“We made the Valentine’s Day [cards] for the elderly at the retirement home,” junior Skyler Garrett said. “I liked doing it, because it made me feel good inside.”

Key Club’s central mission is to provide service to the community.

“There are so many problems in our society that need to be attended to, but no one seems to care,” Schiff said. “That’s why I love Key Club so much because we get to help those who need it the most.”

Club members say it’s about more than volunteering or supporting the community. It gives people the satisfaction of doing something for someone other than themselves.

“There are so many benefits to Key Club,” freshman Gabbie Ritchie said. “Most people join because it will make their college application look good, but I think that it’s more enjoyable if you do it for fun. You get this overwhelming sense of joy knowing that you’re helping the community become a better place. Even if you do little to help, it can still make a difference.”