You might have seen them raking leaves in neighborhoods throughout the community, volunteering at a local food pantry, or doing landscaping work at the front of O’Rourke Middle School. Who are these silent, helpful heroes? They are members of the Impact Club!
More than 60 boys in grades six through eighth are part of this club that is dedicated to showing young men how to be good citizens, teaching them the importance of having a positive relationship with their community, and demonstrating how to give back in big and small ways.
“We are teaching them how to have an ‘impact’ and to feel good about becoming positive role models,” says Impact Club Advisor and middle school teacher Nick Morocco, along with Todd Bucci and Kevin DeBonis. “It’s really inspiring to see them all come together on projects that are aimed at giving back to their community and school.”
When the club is between projects, guest speakers are often invited to club meetings to enhance the experience and talk to students about everything from role model qualities and overcoming obstacles to career aspirations and continuing their commitment to community service beyond the club.
O’Rourke Beautification Project
The most recent community service project the club took on was a beautification project at O’Rourke Middle School. Last spring, club advisor Kevin DeBonis was able to secure a grant from the BH-BL Education Foundation to be used to spruce up the landscaping at the front of the school. The students spent weeks weeding, mulching, laying stone, trimming shrubs and trees, removing dead shrubs and planting new ones, and clearing out landscaping beds. A local landscaping company, Maggs Lawncare & Landscaping, even donated mulch and stone for the kids’ project.
“I’ve never seen a large group of young teens so serious about the work they do for this club and this particular project,” says Morocco. “They were super motivated to complete this project. When it was all done and the kids took a moment to reflect on their work, they were in agreement that they wanted something a little extra to commemorate the club and the work the club is dedicated to doing.”
After a bit of research, the club decided they wanted to install a sign among the landscaping. Morocco found a local carver, Nick Kelley of Kelley’s Carvings, who would not only make a sign, but would talk to the kids about his journey, including his challenges, and how his hardwork and determination has led to his success (see image below).
The students decided on the design of the sign, and in March it was installed at a ceremony commemorating the club’s hard work and dedication.
“The impact these boys have made is evident in the work they did, the mementos they leave behind, such as the wooden sign, and the legacy they created for the next members of Impact Club,” adds Morocco.
