The Key to a Better World

Trash floats lazily in the Grand River and discarded fishing hooks gash the fish, turtles, ducks, and geese. Grocery bags skip across Bridge Street, where cars roar and choke up nasty fumes. Stray shards of glass dot the Ledges and forgotten snack wrappers become tumbleweeds. 

There is still some hope for this place, though. Grand Ledge High School’s very own Key Club has been making an effort to help the people around them and the earth they live on. Key Club is an internationally recognized, student mandated movement that offers its members chances to do great services for their communities.

“Key Club operates under Kiwanis, which has many levels,” Lanny Lo, one of the leaders of the Key Club, said. “At the high school level, it’s Key club, at the college level, it’s Circle K, and Kiwanis is like the adult version of Key Club. Grand Ledge Kiwanis just got restarted, and one of the events that they’re hosting is the 5k, [which happened on] September 28th.”

Members of the Key Club recently spent their time making cards for the residents at a retirement home, and have also made dog toys for the Capital Area Humane Society in the past. Key Club is on track to do many, many more great services for our community, and it certainly seems to be making an impact on the community.

 “We meet twice a month and do service projects at our meetings occasionally,” Subhi Sundaram, who is also a leader of Key Club, said. “If you want to join, you can join our Remind, @keyclubgl.” Those interested can also speak with Mrs. Sleight in room 406.

The two also mentioned that this year they would be focusing on helping the Earth and that some of the projects that they plan on for this year include road-side clean up, cleaning up at the beach or at the Ledges, and hopefully also cleaning up the school parking lot, according to Subhi. They also project that they will do a jean drive, where they will collect jeans and give them to those in need. Soon, Key Club will be conducting a pop can drive- on October 17- in order to raise money for future projects.

Key Club has been doing a lot for the Grand Ledge community, and though it hasn’t always been obvious, it’s been impactful. Whether it was a cleaned-up riverbank along the Grand River or someone volunteering at the Island Festival, their influence is there. The influence of Key Club shows promise to grow even more, and with Key Club’s help, the people and animals of Grand Ledge can live happier and healthier lives.