The Community Health Service Club was first started by junior JoJo Okrah in the fall of 2021. The main objective of the club is to support and spread awareness about community health needs. The club meets every other Thursday in Mrs. Swamy’s room (134) to organize and plan events such as fundraisers, food bank donations and clothing drives.

   One of the primary reasons that Okrah decided to start the club is because it’s “a great way to not only give back to the community but bring everyone together.”  The club is also “a good opportunity for members to earn community service hours,” which provides students the chance to try new things and to meet new people. 

   Since the club was founded over quarantine, this is the club’s first school year in person.

   “Having club meetings in person for the first time has made it a lot easier to plan things because with everyone in person it’s easier to share and collaborate on ideas,” Okrah said. 

   Some of the activities and fundraisers that the club has been able to accomplish this school year include making bracelets for children in hospitals, organizing a book drive for elementary schools in Ghana, and holding a Trunk or Treat night at Tom and Rays where the club collected canned goods and then donated them to the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless and the Damascus Little Free Pantry. 

   Moving forward, club members plan to spruce up the Damascus senior center by planting flowers and shrubs near the entrance. The date for this activity hasn’t been made final but it’s expected to take place during the end of this school year.