Anyone who has ever asked for a donation knows the feeling. It is uncomfortable, awkward and perhaps a little embarrassing.
Members of the Klamath Union High School Key Club did not shy away from their opportunity to impact and make a difference to a special organization in the community.
The consensus was to begin a donation to go toward Assistance League of Klamath Basin. Through much brainstorming, the idea to start a coin drive arrived.
Several Key Club members took one of the many coin jars the club had to ask families for donations. Club members worked rigorously during lunches and free time to seek donations.
At Klamath Union, coin jars were also located in the attendance office and Pel Shack.
Likely no one worked harder and got out of their comfort zone more than KU senior, Maria Osuna Gonzales.
The final day of the coin drive, during lunch time, Osuna Gonzales asked Klamath Falls City Schools Superintendent Keith A. Brown, who came to KU to have lunch, to donate. She persuaded Superintendent Brown to give.
Osuna Gonzales said the Key Club earned likely the most money during Incoming Freshman Night. She did not shy away from asking parents and staff if they could give, which included her going throughout KU as families went on a school tour.
The Key Club raised $426.85 in its coin drive and raised $1125.00 by challenging KUHS departments and clubs to sponsor a student for $125. The grand total of the fundraiser came to $1551.85.
“I am not used to talking to people or to strangers, so that was the challenging part,” Osuna Gonzales said. “I did not go to many kids but went to teachers instead. It was great to get out of my shell.”
Returning to Klamath Union
Two members of Assistance League of Klamath Basin came to Klamath Union to receive their check. Cathie Davis and Sally Palcovich represented Assistance League and met Key Club Advisor Lisa Danskin and her club.
It was the chance for Davis to return to the high school she worked at for 32 years as a secretary. Davis retired at KFCS six years ago before she came back to work during KU’s remodeling.
“I helped set up the new offices here. I miss KU,” Davis said. “Scott Olsen (Roosevelt Elementary School Principal) used to work here as a science teacher. His daughter came to the office a lot and she was so little. She helped me here in the office during conferences. We are excited students, as well as the adults, have such big hearts to give.”
The Key Club donation will clothe over 12 children with coats, shoes, socks, among other attire.
“Assistance League teaches philanthropy. Families benefited from Operation School Bell. They say, look at where I am now. ‘You told me I mattered and gave me the clothes to make me feel good about myself so I could project into the community.’ It has turned into a round robin of giving,” Palcovich said.
It was the first time Key Club has donated to Assistance League, which originally began due to a heartfelt story.
Assistance League was started after hearing two brothers shared the same clothing. As a custom, one brother wore an outfit they had, while the other brother stayed home because he did not have school clothes to wear.
Now, Assistance League has been spread throughout the country.
Key Club was also part of a large Christmas donation but the coin drive was the donation the club spent the most time on this year.
“We have not faced something as bad as the students who have a shortage of clothes. I feel I am obviously privileged but I want to be able to help other people … to not feel that bad they do not have the same circumstances, situations. I came from a different country, across the world. I want them to feel they are wanted,” KU Key Club President, Ameesha Hazarika, said.
Key Club and Assistance League have a lot in common as Kiwanis Club of Klamath Falls supports Assistance league just like it does with Key Club.
In all, just in Klamath County, 125 children are clothed through Assistance League each year, with $1,600 going toward each person. Fred Meyer also helps the organization by providing discounts.
Palcovich and Davis also asked Key Club members to find any seniors who may need an additional $100 to go toward graduation clothes or even clothes for a job interview. More information can be found through Klamath Union counselors.