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Williamston Interact Group Gives Back To Community

Posted at 9:08 PM, Nov 11, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-11 21:08:21-05

LANSING, Mich. — On Monday, November 9, The Williamston Interact Club, a service group for youth between the ages of 12-18 in the Williamston area installed a Blessing Box at the Williamston United Methodist Church to provide non-perishable food and items to those in the Williamston area that truly need it!

It took about 40 hours of work to build this box. The box was a partnership between the Williamston Interact Club as well as from members of the Williamston Sunrise Rotary Club.

It is the hope of the President of the Williamston Interact Club, Eva Gray that the box “can help those in need. Our main goal is to provide a judgment free zone where people can get free necessities. With the COVID 19 pandemic hitting hard again, we want the community to have a small safety net for lost jobs or lack of funds.”

Brian Tort, past President of the Williamston Sunrise Rotary Club was instrumental in helping the Interact members build the Blessing Box as well as starting the club itself. As Mr. Tort explained “For the last couple of years, I have been working behind the scenes to charter an Interact Club under the guidance of Wiliamston Sunrise Rotary Club. We are energizing and inspiring young leaders ages 12-18 through service and encourage them to become responsible global citizens.

Tort explained that “It was a pleasure and a great honor to work beside Dr. Christopher Lewis and Jennifer Normandin to get this group officially charter in June 2020. The initial group of young adults, small but mighty, have been very active in the Williamston Community. They have performed a park clean up, community gardening and have written letters to seniors through the "smiles to seniors" program and have collected graduation gowns for "gowns for good". Their latest project, building a "Blessing Box" to help those in our community that may be struggling was a great labor of love. I have enjoyed creating the initial design, and work with these young leaders on building this box. For some of them, it was their first opportunity to use power tools to put this gift to the community together.

"It has been a joy helping these young people achieve projects that build unity in the community. I look forward to the continued growth of our club in the community and to continue teaching service above self. Rotary clubs serve communities around the world, each with unique concerns and needs. Rotarians have continually adapted and improved the way they respond to those needs, taking on a broad range of service projects. The most successful and sustainable Rotary service tends to fall within one of the following six areas:

  • Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
  • Disease prevention and treatment
  • Water and sanitation
  • Maternal and child health
  • Basic education and literacy
  • Economic and community development

The Williamston Interact Club is a service organization within the Williamston Community. Interact’s goal is to take action, build international understanding, and make new friends around the world. Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self.

Currently, the Interact Club are raising money and collecting donations. All donations must be NON PERISHABLE. You can place those into the box at any time. There is more room for items in the back of the box.

If you would like to contribute money, please send an email to wcsinteract20@gmail.com and they will provide instructions.

Sample List:

Canned Meats

Canned Tuna and Salmon

Peanut Butter

Jelly

Canned or Dry Soups

Canned Stews and Chili

Tea Bags

Coffee

Canned Pasta

Canned Vegetables

Canned Fruit

Canned Pasta

Rice

Canned Beans

Spam

Cake Mixes

Pancake Mixes

Canned Juices

Granulated Sugar

Baby Food & Cereal

Baby ForCB mars

Cereal Bars

Hot/Cold Cereal

Feminine Hygiene Products

Toothbrushes/Paste

Deodorant

Baby Wipes

Soap/Laundry Soap

Toilet Paper

Chapstick

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