Students want to give back to community by volunteering

(Above) Nikki (left) and Tali Tesar, founders of the new Clear Lake High School Lions Reach Out Club, have already been called into service shoveling snow.  Club members are committed to volunteering in the community in a variety of ways and raising funds for non-profit causes.-Reporter photo.

by Marianne Morf

It’s funny how good ideas come about.

Take Tali Tesar, for example.  She was in the midst of a long car ride at Thanksgiving time with her family, vacantly staring out the window, when she randomly began thinking of things she was thankful for.  There was plenty, she realized.

“That made me think about what I could do to give back,” said the Clear Lake High School junior.  “But that was an intimidating subject.  I mean, where do I start?”

After more consideration, she came to the conclusion that she could start by donating her time.

“Sometimes people just need some help.  Someone to spend a little time taking care of something for them or  helping them to do something.  Donating time can be a valuable contribution,” said Tali.

She shared her idea with her family as they traveled and they agreed, it was a good idea.  And certainly one worth pursuing.

Nikki, a CLHS sophomore, joined her sister to help establish the Clear Lake High School Lions Reach Out Club.  Members of the group, which met for the first time formally just before the holiday break, are willing to make themselves available to any individual or organization in the community who can use some helping hands.  CLHS teachers Sarah Raymond and Kate Richtsmeier are sponsors for the club.

The Tesars say the club is an opportunity for students to be more involved in the community.  They hope to inspire students to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

“Many people assume that the best and only way to help is with extravagant gestures or large donations of money, but sometimes, the smallest gesture can mean the most,” said Tali.

A “Lions Reach Out” form is available on the Clear Lake Community Schools’ website, inviting those who need some help to reach out.  In addition, students and adults in the community who want to volunteer to help are also invited to use the form.

Tesar said the form has only been available for a short time and already it has received some attention.  Tali and Nikki mobilized to shovel snow just before the Christmas holiday in response to one request.

“Snow shoveling is the obvious need right now for some, but we hope to also volunteer to hold some fundraisers for causes our club members support, such as the North Iowa Humane Society and Mary’s Meals,” explained Tali.  “A few things that we hope to organize are a community wide spring cleaning garage sale to raise money for charity, and some sort of cooking competition to raise money for Mary’s Meals. We would also be doing smaller acts of volunteering.”