The Great Falls Middle School Interact Club, a youth organization of the Great Falls Rotary Club, took to the local sidewalks on the National Day of Service, Saturday, Jan. 19, and Sunday, Jan. 20, to raise money and awareness for their international youth project—helping children in Honduras. The club members, mostly 12 and 13-year-olds, raised nearly $600 by selling baked cakes, cookies and other treats in front of the Great Falls Safeway grocery store. The Great Falls Rotary Club agreed to match the money raised by The Middle School Interact group. The $1,200 will go to buy new sports equipment to send to children in Honduras. While the Interact group was working at the bake sale, Great Falls Rotary Club President Carlos Berrios and Rotarian member Sean Plunkett were in the Honduras delivering the sports equipment the Interact members had already collected at Langley High School football games in the fall. The Rotary Club’s past president Jeffrey Thinnes said there is a possibility that the Great Falls Rotary Club may launch a long-term relationship with a local club in the Honduras. “Our hope is that in the coming years, we will have many opportunities to practice Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self’ by assisting people in Honduras.”
The Interact members said the service projects bring the group together for a great cause. “It feels great to give back to others, especially when they are your own age,” said Interact member Ashley Baradari, a seventh grader at Cooper Middle School. “Knowing that you could have brought a smile to a child's face by a small act of kindness is a great feeling.” All middle school and high school youth are welcome to join Interact. For more information on these service organizations go to www.rotarygreatfalls.org.