At around 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2023, families of the Clinton Young Elementary School filled the cafeteria to kick off the school day with some breakfast.
But today’s breakfast looks different. Sitting alongside the young Lions for breakfast is Father Christmas.
It’s an event called Breakfast With Santa where SHS Key Club members team up with NHS members to volunteer and serve breakfast for families.
One of the volunteers that day was junior Van Kong. After volunteering every year since her freshman year, she now works as a junior officer for the club.
photo contributed by Van Kong
“It was a way for me to get involved in my community …,” Kong said, “And it was a way for me to get to know other people.”
She’s already obtained around 40 hours (or points) of volunteering. Each school quarter, the club requires at least 9 points to stay in the club, while also requiring a $15 join-in fee.
The Key Club volunteers at events such as concession stands, Midwest Food Bank, Snowcoming and more.
The club isn’t just run by students though. Multiple teacher sponsors help in any way they can, one of them being Family and Consumer Science teacher Danielle Grehn.
“I really wanted to give back a little bit more and be involved with a club that does a lot for the community,” Grehn said.
Ever since joining Key Club, Kong has been able to be a lot more involved with her community alongside others. Her purpose is to get to know more people
through volunteering.
“She’s a great leader in that … without Van in the club, we would definitely feel that,” Grehn said, ”Just because she’s such a great leader.”
