Students Start Interact Club in Reading

About 25 students from meet monthly as part of the newly formed Interact Club sponsored by the . Their goal? To give back to the community and grow as leaders. 

The group is for young adults ages 14 to 18, and according to liaison Jacqueline Carson it gives the members a chance to make friends, improve their community, develop leadership skills and "make a difference in the world."

Carson is their liaison from the Reading Rotary, and Erika Ferranti is their school advisor.

"We provide guidance and leadership, helping them get off the ground and organizing themselves,” Carson said.

They completed their first community service project last March. Their "Fresh Produce Project" was for the Reading Food Pantry. Their goal was to raise $500. They raised all of the money by asking members of the community to donate at least $1, and for that dollar your name would be written on a piece of paper fruit and displayed at the high school. 

Their project was part of a fundraising effort started by Rotarian Rick Nazzaro.  

"I recently called the pantry to ask if there was any specific need at this time. I was told that they were dreaming of buying two shares at Farmer Daves in Dracut. In doing so, they would be able to provide fresh produce to Reading families in need," Nazzaro said. "So...I took on the challenge, and through Facebook and an e-mail campaign, I was able to effectively raise the 1200.00 needed to purchase these shares."

His campaign was inspiration for the Interact Club, and the reason they started their "Fresh Produce Project." The funds the club raised will go toward fresh produce for the pantry next year.

"These are kids dedicated to public service," Nazzaro said.

At Friends and Family Day, the club raised $500 with a dunk tank. Each student took turns sitting in the tank and promoted their club. 

The presidents of the club, Eric Johnson and Mary Kate Kelley will meet with the other officers over the summer, and are working toward growing the club during the next school year. Once school starts again in September, they will meet twice per month with all of the members. They have to follow all of the bylaws from the Rotary International, Carson said. The club will provide the students with scholarship opportunities and other opportunities through Rotary International.

"They’ll define different community service projects, they are coming up with ideas to see who they want to benefit," Carson said. “They are the junior rotary club.”