MANSFIELD, Ohio — It was all hands on deck as 48 local Key Club students worked together on National Make a Difference Day at the library’s second annual event Saturday.
According to their website, National Make a Difference Day aims to unite community members around the nation with a common goal, to improve lives.
Students fashioned backpacks for clients at Harmony House, decorated festive cookies for the Mansfield Police Department, created colorful bookmarks for The New Store and festooned ornaments for St. Vincent de Paul’s Christmas tree.
Mansfield/Richland County Public Library Teen Librarian Anne Rhodes said the event was a good break from all the bad news about the bomb threats at schools recently.
“This is a good way for them (the students) to meet other students from different schools,” said Rhodes. “I think it’s really great, a good positive after this week.”
In attendance were high school students participating in Key Clubs from Madison, Ontario, Mansfield and St. Peter’s.
Madison Key Club advisor Eddie Walker brought a group of 20 students to this year’s event at the library. Last year, he said, only four attended.
“These kids are learning compassion and helping other people. I think they’re seeing that there is something more important than their schedules,” said Walker.
Walker, who is working on his second year as advisor, said the group had doubled in size since last year. He accredited the growth to the school’s talent show during last school year when students saw their friends participating in Key Club.
“The word spread,” said Walker. “You know, high school kids are looking for ways to connect with others besides sports.”
Walker said his Key Club group is going all out for National Make a Difference Day. After the library’s event, they were dashing to St. Luke’s Point of Grace to lend a helping hand at its fall festival until 6 p.m.
“So we’re doing an eight-hour thing today. A couple [of students] will have to leave, but a core group of about 15 to 20 will stay,” said Walker.
