Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thy Brothers' Helper

The Harrisonburg High School Key Club in Harrisonburg, VA won the first Youth In Philanthropy Award, which recognizes service by youths through age 18 who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the community through leadership.

The group, which has about 40 core members, has been working on a shoe drive this year to benefit Soles4Souls.

Members are collecting gently worn shoes to be shipped both domestically and internationally, and they've got around 400 pairs of shoes already collected, said Tony Antonnicola, the group's adviser. The group's goal is 1,000 pairs by the end of the year.

Last year, the club was recognized as the world's second-ranking Key Club in raising funds for UNICEF.

"This is definitely an honor," said Rupal Patel, a 17-year-old senior at HHS and president of the club. "We do a lot around the community and it's nice to be recognized, to know that someone's watching."

The diverse group of kids all volunteer loads of time and donate their own money to the projects.

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