The Channelview High School Interact Club received Rotary International’s Presidential Citation Award for their exemplary level of involvement in community service projects.
“This is the highest honor that Rotary International can present to student-led Interact Clubs,” said Steven Shoemaker, CHS Interact sponsor. “These students take pride in helping others.”
Channelview’s Interact Club is one of the largest in the area with more than 70 members and is sponsored by the North Shore Rotary Club. Over the past year, the Interact students have participated in more than 40 community service projects.
The Shell Houston Open professional golf tournament at The Golf Club of Houston is one major event where the Channelview students have volunteered their time and efforts. For the past three years, CHS Interact members have helped greet fans, sell tickets, schedule tee times and escort tournament VIPs.
In addition, the students help the tournament raise funds for charitable organizations. Through the assistance of the CHS Interact group, more than $13,000 was raised last year for Project Joy and Hope, a local charity that provides support to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
“Interact helps students see the broader picture of volunteering,” Shoemaker said. “They are able to see first-hand how their efforts really do make a difference.”
Most recently, the Interact Club collected items for goody bags and delivered them to veterans staying at the VA Hospital in Houston. The students also provided assistance at the North Channel Salutes Business Expo and Veterans Day event, sponsored by the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce.
Channelview’s club is also known for its blood drives, which are held twice a year or more. In 20142015, more than 200 donors gave blood.
Other major community service projects include volunteering at the Star of Hope Mission and the North Channel Area Relay for Life, benefitting the American Cancer Society.
According to Shoemaker, select members of CHS Interact participate in workshops at the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy every year.
“The only way for students to develop leadership skills is through real-life experiences,” he said. “We strive to provide those experiences through Interact so that they may become the leaders of tomorrow.”