Every year at Yorba Linda High School, there is a lunch event known as Club Rush. During this event, all the student-run clubs are set up with posters and sign-up sheets, while the rest of the students roam around looking for which ones they want to join. This year, there were over 90 clubs to choose from! Whether hobby or academic-based, they all offer opportunities for students to explore their passions and interests. Many new clubs were added, including Helping Hands spearheaded by sophomore Samantha Hernandez. 

Her club aims to help the homeless and underprivileged families by donating food and volunteering at food banks and homeless shelters. As president, she plans to reach out to organizations like Ronald McDonald House, Midnight Mission, and Second Harvest Food Bank. These are all non-profit organizations where students would be able to either volunteer or donate food. Specifically, the Ronald McDonald House assists families with hospitalized children who may have financial trouble. The Midnight Mission targets the homeless, and the Second Harvest Food Bank provides meals to people facing hunger. These charities would just be some of the events where students would be able to do on-site volunteering. 

In the club’s first year, the officers are Samantha Hernandez as president, Gavin Esqueda as vice president, Sanaya Patel as treasurer, Gabriella Wong as secretary, and Kelsey Ikemoto as publicist. The club advisor is Jacklyn Chavez, and meetings will be held in her room (339) once a month during lunch. In these meetings, members will be informed of any volunteer events and opportunities, and members must attend at least three throughout the school year. 

Helping Hands is an amazing club for students at YLHS as it provides them with opportunities to get community service hours. Additionally, it is an excellent environment to meet new people and make friends. Most importantly, this club is a chance to make a difference in the community in a fulfilling way, rather than volunteering somewhere just because it’s “easy” and to get it out of the way. 

Helping Hands is a club students will want to make sure to join! It provides students with volunteer opportunities and raises awareness of the lack of food many underprivileged families and homeless people experience. President Samantha Hernandez (10) leaves us with this: “I am so grateful that I can help support the community and make a positive impact in the world with my friends.”