Finding The Key - HHS Service Club Second In The World In Charitable Fundraising
by Jenny Jones; reprinted with permission, Daily News Record, Harrisonburg, VA

HARRISONBURG - When Nunu Burged came to this country from her native Mongolia five years ago, she was shy and quiet. Interested in getting involved in a service organization and meeting new people, Burged joined the Harrisonburg High School Key Club. She was a sophomore at the time.

After just a short time with the club, which conducts a variety of projects - including fundraisers for national and international nonprofits, school fun fairs and local cleanup efforts - Burged blossomed. She became outgoing, a leader. (Pictured right are Harrisonburg High School Key Club officers (left to right) Vice President Nunu Burged, Secretary Sarah-Daye Hand, President Olivia Quach, motivator Samantha Rodeffer, reporter Stephany Holguin and Treasurer Daniel Bintrim have helped make their club into a global leader in charitable fundraising. Photo by Nikki Fox)

Now a senior, Burged is the vice president of the school's Key Club, which has more than 50 active members and was recently recognized as the world's second-ranking Key Club in raising funds for UNICEF.

Last year alone, the club raised more than $6,000 for UNICEF's Kick HIV/Aids Out of Kenya campaign, geared toward educating young Kenyans about the disease.
" This club's active. It's a lot of fun," said Burged, who attributes her transformation to the club. "My life is basically my family, friends and Key Club."

About The Club

Key Club is an international student-led organization, sponsored by Kiwanis Club International, that teaches its members leadership by serving others.
The club, which started in California in 1925, includes more than 5,000 high school chapters around the globe.

Harrisonburg High's Key Club has been active for more than 15 years and is one of the school's most popular clubs, according to Key Club adviser Maurizio "Tony" Antonnicola
" It's the largest volunteer organization at Harrisonburg High School," said Olivia Quach, a senior and the club's president. She added that the group includes a good mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Through the years, the school's Key Club has raised thousands of dollars for UNICEF, a United Nations organization whose mission is to protect children around the world, and other such efforts.

The club is currently raising money for Nothing But Nets, a U.N. foundation that distributes bed nets in Africa to protect people from malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
" Over the past 10 years or so, these kids have donated more than $80,000 to various organizations," Antonnicola said. "I'm just amazed you hear so many bad things about teens. That's just not what I'm seeing."

A Well-Rounded Experience

Officers of Harrisonburg's club said they are more than willing to spend time working with the club.

They look forward to the volunteer activities, such as manning the Kiwanis booth at the Rockingham County Fair and selling concessions at James Madison University's Lego competition. All the money they raise goes to nonprofits.

"At the end of the year, you're amazed at all the things you did," said Daniel Bintrim, a senior and treasurer of the club. "It's so much fun."
Members of the club say they are grateful school administrators offer the Key Club and other school groups the time to meet to talk about their projects during the school day. That time is known as activity period, lasting 30 minutes each month.

"This is the big thing that helps us" stay organized, Burged said. "It's a club that really works with your schedule."

Earlier this week, after learning their Key Club was the second-highest contributor to UNICEF, club officers said they were even more enthusiastic about their work.

"To be second in the world," Bintrim said. "I think it just demonstrates our club's motivation."

For Burged, she said, the recognition is a nice way to round out her experience with the club. She said it motivates her to stay active at the college level, known as Circle K, and later in life as a member of the Kiwanis Club.

"I owe [a lot] to Key Club," Burged said. "It helps you develop character."

NOTE: The Harrisonburg Kiwanis Club is the official sponsor of the Harrisonburg High School Key Club. President Matt Light says, "We are very proud of the Harrisonburg High School Key Club members for their hard work and dedication to our community. Their successful fundraising efforts can serve as an inspiration to us all."