Members of the Clarke Central High School community service club volunteer at the Milledge Avenue Baptist Church pumpkin patch on Oct. 12, 2020. Even though club members have had difficulty finding opportunities to volunteer because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are still eager to serve the community. “I feel like (the club) has helped me be more conscious of issues going on around (Athens) and places that we can help because there’s always the issue of homelessness and recycling waste,” Community Service Club member Makayla Jones, a sophomore said. “I feel like it really helped me to be like, ‘Oh, well, this could be cleaned up or we could volunteer here to help out.’ It really made me more open and more involved in the Athens-Clarke County community.” Photo courtesy of Karena LaRosa
The Clarke Central High School community service club provides students an opportunity to serve their community through volunteering. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club has struggled to find new ways to be involved.
Have you ever wondered who picks up the trash that you toss onto the side of the highway? They may be even closer than you think.
The Clarke Central High School Community Service Club serves the Athens and CCHS community in a variety of ways. The club meets every two-to-three weeks on Tuesdays at 3:45 in Room 289. During the meetings, members brainstorm ideas of possible projects they could do for the community.
“Every idea is welcome and open and represented because you can really just brainstorm the whole time,” Community Service Club member Makayla Jones, a sophomore said. “We’re just like, ‘Oh well I heard about this, I heard about that,’ and now everyone accepts it because we’re all really looking forward to helping out.”
“Every idea is welcome and open and represented because you can really just brainstorm the whole time. We’re just like, ‘Oh well I heard about this, I heard about that,’ and now everyone accepts it because we’re all really looking forward to helping out.”
— Makayla Jones,
Community Service Club member
Last year, the club was not able to meet because of virtual learning. This year, even though they are able to meet, COVID-19 restrictions have made it difficult for club members to find volunteering opportunities.
“In the past, there were fall festivals at the elementary schools. People aren’t doing those anymore and it’s understandable, but it limits the interaction with younger kids or closer contact with people we might have been able to volunteer with,” social studies department teacher and Community Service Club sponsor Karena LaRosa said.
Members of the Community Service Club carry pumpkins to help set up the Milledge Avenue Baptist Church pumpkin patch on Oct. 6, 2019. During the 2020-21 school year, the club was unable to help set up the pumpkin patch, but this year, they are excited to get to volunteer. “We have three different opportunities to help with a pumpkin patch. They have semis that come in from South Florida loaded with pumpkins and they take volunteers to help unload them out front, in front of the church for the pumpkin patch, and they do them by category and size,” social studies department teacher and Community Service club sponsor Karena LaRosa said. Photo courtesy of Karena LaRosa
Despite the difficulties imposed by COVID-19, the club has been able to organize some in-person volunteering. Jones is excited about all of the service opportunities that are planned for October.
“For the Athens marathon that’s coming up on Oct. 24th, we’re going to be handing out water for the water station. Then, at (Milledge Avenue Baptist Church), we’re going to be unloading the pumpkins for the pumpkin patch so that the kids can come in,” Jones said. “I think it’s really great that we get to help out so much.”
