Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180–the last of the “Five Good Emperors,” and is considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers. He noted, “Men exist for mutual service.” This lesson is demonstrated throughout the year by a youth group at Morrison High School: the Key Club. Gwen Rickertsen is Faculty Advisor of the service group. They meet during homeroom, so all grade levels can attend. Last year there were 84 members.
Shown left-to-right in the front row are Co-Presidents Kaitlin Cronister and Hannah Blacklock, both Seniors. In the back row are MHS Senior Allison Claeys; Sophomore Korey Zigler; Kiwanis Advisor Kris Bielema; 2013 graduate Michaela Rinker; Junior Kyle Workman. Key Clubbers Breezy Cross and Kyle McCoy are not pictured. McCoy served as donor escort and assisted in the clean up and reloading of the truck, along with Kiwani Nick Becker.
Rinker is now an adult member of the Kiwanis organization. “I love it! It’s my life,” she stated.
Members gathered on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, to host the 3rd annual Summer Blood Drive through the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. All blood products stay within the Quad Cities area, which includes Morrison Community Hospital, CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL, and Clinton, IA, hospitals.
The location was Emmanuel Reformed Church’s Christ Center. Key Club earns grant money for hosting, gaining more money as more donors participate. If 20 blood donations are received, the teens earn $250. Every donor over 20 earns them $1. Today’s goal was 30 units, and 37 people had signed up. Thirteen donors were adults; the rest were high school students or very recent graduates.
Funds will be donated for playground equipment at Northside and Southside Grade Schools, in memory of the late Pam Bush.
Bielema explained that dues are $12, with $11 sent to the International Key Club organization. They “try to make the greatest emphasis” of activities in Morrison, IL. Members staff concession stands. Four times a year, they assist Kiwanis at sandwich sales and receive a quarter of the proceeds. Some income is derived from their help with the Kiwanis December boxed fruit sale. Another blood drive will occur in March 2014.
A broader project during October is trick-or-treating for Unicef’s “Eliminate” project. Last year they collected over $600, to purchase tetanus vaccinations for children in Third World countries.
There service efforts provide four MHS student scholarships.