While the holidays are a popular time to help those in need, Millbrook High School’s Interact Club believes in keeping up the momentum all year long with plans calling for a blood drive, road clean-up day and possibly a food drive in the coming months.
Members of the community-minded club, sponsored by the Millbrook Rotary, participated in the Angels of Light’s Adopt-a-Family program during the holidays. This initiative involves club members taking in gas gift cards, money and other items for families who have a child with a life threatening illness.
Interact Club members Kiara Lopez, Club President Lorraine Affigne, Olivia Lucal, Amber Concannon and Ryley Dolan at Maronna’s Market for a food drive.
“We also ask for gift cards because oftentimes these families are traveling long ways for treatments,” club adviser and MHS senior typist Jeanene Kascsak said.
Angels of Light gives club members a wishlist from the child they are matched with to help with shopping. Additionally, they sold Christmas ornaments to the school community with proceeds going towards the families. Club President and senior Lorraine Affigne was grateful for a good turnout and the community support.
“Everyone brought in what was needed,” Affigne said. “Even with our small school size, we make really large efforts and great impacts.”
Ever since she spent significant time in hospitals for an illness when she was younger, Affigne has had a strong desire to help others. Joining Interact Club was a perfect fit for her where she always looks forward to the meetings where she collaborates with her classmates with the same vision.
“I received a lot of support when I was younger so that fuels my wanting to give back,” Affigne said. “Everything that it resembles and what Ms. Kascsak does, I just fell in love with the whole message.”
Club members previously helped clean up local roads and hosted blood drives.
The Interact Club at MHS keeps busy. Pictured from left to right are Vice President Jordyn Kaan, Tunyapat Chuapakdee, Advisor Jeanene Kascsak, Rocco Popovic, President Lorraine Affigne, Secretary Sadie Krueger, Marina Mazzei, Maria Dubé, Amber Concannon, Sonia Kowalczyk and Ryley Dolan.
Kascsak praised Affigne’s efforts within the club and said there will be big shoes to fill when she graduates
“She’s always the first one to respond if I email the club with a question,” Kascsak said. “She’s been very active in our club even before she was president.”
Affigne is grateful for the club and hopes it continues to thrive by members always striving to make positive changes in the community.
“It’s very essential for young teens to practice this kind of work early in life,” Affigne said.
