Circle K International President Cora Hill is pictured with Kewanee Care Home donation drive items.
College students have the power to positively impact their communities, and Circle K International members are dedicated to doing just that.
Circle K president Cora Hill said the importance of community service is often emphasized, but it can be difficult for college students to find ways to serve that fit into their busy lives.
“Circle K provides students with these opportunities to help others, often in ways we never would have come up with on our own,” she said.
Nursing Home Donation Drive
The East Campus club wrapped up a donation drive for the Kewanee Care Home this week.
They collected personal care items, non-perishable snacks, socks and blankets.
Club advisor Sam Rux said the students decided on the donation drive after brainstorming ways to give back. They wanted to help the nursing home and liked that anyone on campus could participate.
Another East Campus student organization, LIFT (Living in Faith Together), partnered with Circle K for the nursing home donation drive and made fleece tie blankets to donate.
This is the first year Circle K has done a donation drive for the nursing home. Circle K members were excited to contribute and to get to deliver the items.
Joining Circle K International
Circle K is sponsored by Kiwanis International with a goal of developing college students into a global network of responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to service.
Students interested in joining Circle K can attend a meeting or visit Rux in her office, A-203, for more information. Meetings are Fridays at noon in B-208, which is known as the Fish Bowl.
Hill said her favorite part of the group is serving alongside her peers. She wants other students to know that all students are welcome. Even if you are busy, it is worth considering.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with any amount of time a student can dedicate to service,” she said.
Blood Drives at Black Hawk College
Circle K is planning on holding a blood drive later this academic year, likely in the Spring 2019 semester. You can visit Rux’s office to sign yourself up as willing to donate.
Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, there is a blood drive at the Quad-Cities Campus, hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA).
SGA President Shannon Crisp organized the drive and noted that the benefit of donating is the ability to help save someone’s life and that it’s a great way to make a difference in the community.
“Working in the medical field and studying nursing at Black Hawk College I see firsthand how important blood donation is,” he said.
The blood drive is from noon to 3 p.m. in the Health Sciences Center parking lot. You can sign up in advance online or else stop by.
Circle K Fall 2018 Fundraisers
Circle K has movie night fundraisers set for Oct. 19 and Dec. 7, 2018 at Wanee Cinemas in downtown Kewanee. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. with the movies playing at 10 p.m.
Tickets are $5 with all ticket sales going to Circle K and attendees have a choice between two movies. The October movie night has a Halloween theme, with Hocus Pocus and It (2017) as the choices.
A La Gondola Spaghetti House fundraiser will be Dec. 2, 2018. Tickets are $8 with $4 of each ticket going to Circle K. The meal will include spaghetti, garlic bread and a drink.
Circle K Volunteer Opportunities
The nursing home donation drive was just the beginning of Circle K giving back this semester!
With the holiday season approaching, members are finding ways to brighten the lives of others.
Community service opportunities include helping with the Kewanee Goodfellow’s baskets and Operation Christmas Child.
For the Goodfellow’s baskets, Kiwanis and Circle K provide meals and Christmas gifts to local families who are struggling financially.
Operation Christmas Child involves packing shoe boxes full of gifts which are sent to underprivileged children around the world.