The Key Club is an international organization for students to become active with volunteering and to help them develop better humanitarian and leadership skills. Co-presidents Hannah Dressa and Christina Tang, seniors, have volunteered the past couple of months for some great events.

    Even though Cleveland’s choir was banned from performing at the Festival of Lights due to the Grotto’s religious affiliation, on Dec. 12,  the Key Club paired with the Cleveland choir to help out at the festival, checking tickets, handing out programs and working in the volunteer center. Club members helped out at the concession stand, as well, selling food and drinks.

Tang said, “My personal favorite [was] getting dressed as angels and greeting guests while passing out candy canes.” With their light-up halos, they added to the light show.      

    Key Club is currently working on an international project called ELIMINATE. This project focuses on helping second and third world countries where Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus is common. Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus is when the tetanus spores come in contact with open cuts during childbirth. When the spores reach the umbilical cord, it can cause the infant to have seizures. The disease often results in death. Key Club is working toward raising money for immunization shots for countries without readily available health care. In the three years that the Cleveland branch has been around, they have raised more than $1,500. So far, the entire Pacific Northwest has almost reached their goal of raising $110 million.

    For Key Club’s next project, they are going to help out at the second Portland Night Market on Feb. 12 and 13. They will also be at the annual Shamrock run on March. 13.