This week’s club of the week is the Be the Change Club which focuses on community involvement and volunteer opportunities. Its co-leaders are Lily Williams, Christy Bishop, Danielle Nauman, Libby Staver and Azariah Courtney.
Be the Change has come and gone with multiple different leaders at PVHS but was reinstated last year in the hopes to better the community. Though the club began small, many projects came alive and school involvement was achieved. As winter came, club members raised money at a bake sale for the Christmas Giving Program. This project allowed them to buy presents and needed items for families at the Humility of Mary shelter.
The club members also participated in a Give Kids a Smile Drive during children’s dental awareness month and at The Place 2 B Drive for a teen shelter in Rock Island. They set up shopping carts at a PV soccer game and raised money and food supplies to donate. With the help of Spartan Assembly and Bettendorf High School’s student council, they raised community awareness and much needed food items.
This year, Be The Change is back and has just as big of goals. Last year’s participants hope to gain new members and make a greater impact in the community. They hope to participate in the Christmas Giving Program again and sponsor even more families than last year. As co-president, senior Libby Staver said, “The goal is to become more knowledgeable about what is happening outside of the walls of Pleasant Valley.”
Members are encouraged to find volunteer opportunities that they are interested in, so many new projects will come to light throughout the year. Some projects ideas that have come to mind currently are participating in classes and themed events at the Helping Hand center and perhaps helping with families at the local women’s shelters.
Staver also said, “I’m glad to be in the club because it makes you feel like you are making a difference in other people’s lives in our community. Being able to witness that change first-hand is really powerful.” Though she is graduating this May, she hopes the club will continue making a difference.
A younger member, Maddy Licea, may be able to help carry the legacy. As she stated, “I plan to continue this year because I think it’s a great way for students to help others and have fun.” She and Staver agreed that they find the club very rewarding when they are able to witness the change they brought about.
