Interact helps community for the holidays
As the sun set and night fell, high school students walked through the neighborhoods of Palomares and Columbia on Halloween night to not only collect candy but to do good for the community.
Members of Interact club collected over 1,200 cans for the Alameda County Food Bank, helping many families just in time for Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
“Trick or Canning was a great time to meet new people and hang out with friends while helping the community. We fed so many families this year. Thanks to our community in Castro Valley, many families will have something to eat,” said club president Lani Ng.
This event, “Trick or Canning,” is Interact’s biggest event of the year. It was open to all members to earn volunteer hours, help out their community, and have a fun Halloween night. This year, Interact partnered with clubs such as California Scholarship Federation, Red Cross, and Key Club for a total of more than 50 students.
Interact club meets every Wednesday at lunch in the library and offers many volunteer opportunities and events. Events are mostly local, held at Castro Valley elementary schools such as the popular bi-weekly food distribution held at Proctor.
By participating, members receive easy access to volunteer hours, which can be put towards college applications and resumes.
Interact doesn’t stop at Castro Valley; throughout the Bay Area and beyond, there are many more “Interactors.” Across just one district, District 5170, there are 110 active clubs with over 4,000 active members who serve over 100,000 hours annually.
One event gives members a small glimpse of how big Interact really is. Formerly known as the Fall Leadership Conference and now known as the Fall Rally, students from a vast number of high schools come together, play rally games, and learn about Interact’s international and community projects.
“My favorite memory of being in Interact was definitely going to the Fall Leadership Conference last year. It was amazing to see all of the interactors in District 5170 from all around the Bay Area gather together,” shared Chiori Kondo, sophomore and club treasurer.
Interact’s main mission is to find ways to give back to the community. With the motto “service above self,” Interact offers many events that not only give students volunteer hours but long-lasting memories and new friends.
“Interact stands for International Action, representing the impact Interact clubs around the world leave on community service. Through our club, you can build connections with people all around the Bay Area, find a passion for service, immerse yourself in leadership development, and find a community through supporting communities in need,” student advisor Alex Bland said.