Helping hands: Wayne County high schools' Key Clubs chance for students to serve

You might not have heard about them until today.

And you might wonder why a county high school would have a club that dealt with "keys" in the first place.

But for those who have been lucky enough to encounter the young men and women from around Wayne County who are involved in the Kiwanis Club's Key Clubs, they already know just how dedicated and committed these young people are to making a difference in their communities.

Founded as an alternative for young people who want to serve their communities, the Key Clubs are very much like the Kiwanis Clubs that sponsor them -- focused on how they can improve their communities, one service project at a time.

This week, a special event was planned to recognize these fine young people -- and to encourage others to join their cause.

And Wayne County is lucky to have all of them.

At a time when so many people have forgotten what is really important, how encouraging it is to see young people so dedicated not only to their schools and their peers, but to the community in which they are growing up.

It is never too early to learn the value of giving back to those who have supported you in your journey to adulthood. The Key Clubs provide a lesson that these young people will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The number of service projects accomplished by these clubs alone is inspiring -- and a reason to be pretty confident that there are more than a few young people in Wayne County who understand just what being a part of a community means.

And that should make us all very proud.

Published in Editorials on March 9, 2011 10:59 AM