San Bruno CA Rotary Interact​ Recent Community Volunteer Event

Article Source: Joslyn Franco of the Rotary Interact

The following article describes and explains the reason for their recent project. They packaged and distributed 266 cares packages and other supplies to Safe Harbor Shelter in South San Francisco.

Subject: Homeless Project 2019 Article

On Sunday May 5th, 2019, Capuchino High School's Interact Club smoothly executed a grand act of kindness towards the local homeless community. Capuchino High School's Interact club is a community service based club sponsored by the San Bruno Rotary Club. They actively volunteer in community events throughout the year and plan & execute one big service project per year.

For the past 3 years, this club has chosen to help the Homeless for their annual service project. By making care packages that consist of a meal, a fruit, a snack, toiletries, a resource sheet with information for help, and a handwritten note, these students are able to provide short-term aid and long-term compassion. Their handmade packages show the receivers that they are cared for, not forgotten, and will be provided with help if they seek for it or ask for it.

The service project is planned and executed completely by high school student leaders who have a passion to make a change and help others. This year, the project was led by Jocelynn Franco and a service project committee (all connected to the Interact Club). The students spent three months planning for the event. While the event was complex, they managed to plan the entire event on their own with the help of Rotarian, Josie McHale, all while balancing classes and other extracurricular activities. Part of the event planning included tasks like securing a venue, sending out donations to businesses, making follow up calls to those businesses, holding a school drive, and much more. They also create a gofundme for the service project each year where anyone can donate to the cause. A few businesses donate each year, this year it was: Grand Leader Market, San Bruno Firemen's Volunteer Hall, Millbrae Trader Joe's, and Thomas A. Nichol's DDS. The club thanks you for your donations!

Many may question why these students do this, what motivates them, and how does it benefit them.

"We do this because we can help others and that's what we do in this club. We strongly believe that among all the issues in our community, we can do something to lessen each one. In my own opinion, homelessness is one of the greatest issues around San Francisco and the surrounding areas. Homelessness is one of those issues that most people push aside because it has been normalized to the point where most people don't believe in there being a solution for it. There is so much stigma around those who are homeless but in reality, we don't know how they got there or what they have been through. I don't believe in waiting for the next person to help them. I also don't believe that we can't help the homeless members of our community. As a club, we believe in Service Above Self; if we can help, we will help. This year, I had the honor of planning this project with a group of dedicated students who shared the same passion for helping others in our community. The project itself was not easy to plan. There were many times when, in all honesty, I didn't know what I was doing; but I knew what I had to do to help. Although, it was difficult and long to plan, it was worth every moment. My favorite moment was when we delivered all the care packages and donations to Safe Harbor Shelter in South San Francisco and their eyes lit up with gratitude at the sight of so many donations for them. In that very special moment, I thought to myself 'This is why, for this very moment where I can help all these beautiful souls.' I am beyond honored to be a part of this service club and to have had the ability to lead this project alongside everyone on the committee. I was able to empower other high school students along the way and prove to myself, as well as others, that we can make a change. We can better our community through our service!" -Jocelynn Franco

The project, led by Capuchino High School students, was a collaboration with Mills High School Interact club and El Camino High School Interact club. The project was successful with the making of 266 total care packages with an extra 115 sandwiches and over 200 toiletries all donated to the Safe Harbor Shelter. The committee included Jocelynn Franco (Co-Community Chair), Ava Cordero (Co-Community Chair), Paige Valles (Co-Community Chair), Najwa Dabbagh (Co-Community Chair), Hannah Leung, Jayden Tan, Yaritza Fernandez, Maria Manuel, Josh Hafter, Monique Lennon, Ashley Garcia, and Kathy Lin.

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Robert Riechel

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Photo Credit: Rotary Interact

Source Credit: Joslyn Franco of the Rotary Interact

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