Leos collect 500 items for Friend Inc.
Club members assist Friend staff with holiday boxes for families in need
The Kutztown Area High School’s Leo Club, the youth charity auxiliary of the Kutztown Lions Club, has had a busy month, beginning with a winter weather clothing drive that expanded throughout all the district buildings and to the community. In all, the Leos collected an estimated 500 items of clothing and assorted goods to be redistributed to the greater Kutztown area through Friend, Inc.
On Wednesday, Dec. 20, the Leos then assisted the staff of Friend, Inc. in their yearly holiday food and gift distribution. Thousands of donated gifts for children, as well as hundreds “holiday boxes” containing supplies to help create a full meal, and pallet after pallet of Jaindl turkeys were distributed to local families between 3:30 and 6 p.m. The ma-
jority of the holiday boxes were provided by various local school collection efforts, including KAHS’s National Honors Society, Fleetwood High and several organizations and departments at Kutztown University.
Sophomore Grayce Berk explained her involvement with the Leos and this endeavor, “I, personally, am very fortunate. I get a lot of the things that I wish for during the holidays, and I am very thankful for that. I like helping people who are less fortunate than me and giving back to the community.”
Senior Jacob Walker said, “I participated in volunteer work in affiliation with Friend Inc. because it was a good opportunity to give back to the community.”
“I’m really glad that I’ve been able to go with Leo club the past two years to friend for Christmas. It provides a great feeling not only for the volunteers but for the people that aren’t as fortunate as the rest of us. It was great working together with others to give back to the community,” added senior Kylie Balthaser.
“I really liked the sense of community that was involved. It was amazing to work in such a cheerful sphere of people while serving a higher purpose. It was both well organized and efficient and everyone there was happy to help wherever it was needed,” said senior Lynne Asplundh, one of our newest Leo Club members.
And from senior Wyatt Wolf, “I did volunteer work in conjunction with Friend because I thought it was a great opportunity to give back to the community. It was tons of fun and I believe that more people should get involved.”
As advisor to all of these outstanding young adults, I cannot be more proud of their work and continued philanthropy.
After the holiday break, the Leos will jump right back into fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, The March of Dimes and our Relay for Life team efforts. If you can assist us with any donations or have an idea for a local charitable event, please contact Leo advisor Josh Chambers at the High School.