Officially chartered on November 3rd, Key Club is one of Holy Trinity’s newest organizations, expanding HT’s long-standing value of service beyond the campus and into the wider Brevard community. Started by junior Hannah Harrington, the club operates as one of the High School branches of the Kiwanis International family, sponsored by the Rockledge-Viera Kiwanis Club. Key Club members take on a new service initiative each month, meeting regularly to plan projects that address community needs. 

Kiwanis International, the parent organization, is a global network dedicated to improving the lives of children and strengthening communities. “It consists of a lot of retired people who donate their time and money to be a part of it,” Harrington said. According to the Kiwanis website, the members stage more than 1.3 million service projects and raise nearly $390 million for children, families, and local communities around the world. 

Kiwanis club projects, like Key Club, are based on the community’s needs. According to their website, they build playgrounds, purchase medical equipment, stuff backpacks with school supplies, restock libraries, and much more. They report that the average Kiwanian makes an impact on the lives of 106 children. The Holy Trinity Kiwanians have already made significant contributions to the Brevard County community within the first months of their beginning. Each Kiwanis group has a specific project that they continuously work on. The Rockledge-Viera branch has focused on helping underprivileged children in Brevard get access to shoes. Their first project was assisting their sponsor chapter with a shoe drive, serving as a liaison between Holy Trinity and the Brevard community. “We collected hundreds of shoes–seven tote bags.” Harrington said. “We hung up posters around the school and put it in our newsletter.”

Aside from assisting their sponsor chapter, Key Club works on independent service projects. Their current venture is assisting the elders at Shell Harbour Retirement Community in keeping up with the technological advancements of today. Every Monday, members of Key Club set up a table and allow the residents to bring up their devices and get their questions about their digital devices answered. In doing so, the club contributes to a greater cause of bridging the gap between youth and elders so the community can better connect. 

“It’s fulfilling to see your hard work helping others pay off in somebody else’s life,” Vice President Gracin Borboroglu said. 

Additionally, the club provides its members with opportunities to grow in their leadership skills. The District Education and Leadership Conference (DCON for short) is a 4-day event intended to expand the leadership, education, service, and connection between Key Club members. The event hosts 1,000 members from across the Florida District, and Holy Trinity’s branch is fundraising to attend the 88th annual DCON in April. 

“It’s still the beginning, but I think it’s just going to be fun,” Harrington said. “Our main goal is to serve the community.”