When There's a Need, There's a Leo: Why You Should Join Leo Club
All photos submitted by Srikar Kalapala.
Srikar Kalapala
Are you a student looking to gain volunteer experience and help serve your community? If so, Leo Club is for you. Founded nearly 20 years ago by former principal David Furer, Sussex Leo Club has been passionately serving our community and is looking for more community-driven students to join the club.
What is Leo Club
Leo Club is a community service club located in the Sussex area. The club consists of students ages 12-18 who volunteer their time at a plethora of different events in the community. Some of the events Leos partake in include tie-blanket making, making cards, food drives, Spooky Sussex, and Lion’s Daze. For more events we have done in the past, click here.
Despite Leo Club not being affiliated with Hamilton, it is made up mostly of Hamilton students and a few TMS students. Additionally, Leo Club is still very recognized in the community, as it won Volunteer Group of the Year back in 2019. Last year, Leo Club raised $3500 from Lion’s Daze and donated that money to nine different local organizations.
Why You Should Join
“Leadership, Experience, Opportunity”. These are the three words that make up a Leo. Members have year-long opportunities to build up all three qualities in order to become more well-rounded individuals. Leaders in our communities are becoming increasingly important, and becoming a Leo is one way to hone that quality by helping out in the community. As this year’s Leo Club vice president, Izzy Prochazka described how Leo Club has allowed her to thrive:
“Being vice president and a member of the club for the last 3 years has allowed me to foster new relationships, develop leadership skills, and have a greater gratitude for the life I have. I highly recommend joining the Leo Club for all middle and high schoolers looking for ways to volunteer in the community of Sussex.”
Experience is another benefit you get by becoming a Leo. Colin Gilmartin, one of Leo Club’s directors, elaborates on the experience he had on joining the club, and how the experience of being a member has affected him:
“Everyone is welcome to become a Leo member. It is a good way to meet new people and give back to our community. My sister told me about the club and it sounded like a great way to help others. It has made me realize how big of an impact I can have on other people by giving just a little bit of my time.”
The opportunity to serve in one’s community shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is a way to give back to the community that has helped us become the people we are today. As this year’s secretary of Leo Club, Josh Xue gave his thoughts on the community service opportunities Leo Club provides:
“Joining Leo Club is a great way of giving back to the community. We have lots of opportunities during the year where we volunteer at events throughout the Sussex and Menomonee Falls area.”
How to Join/Requirements
Every third Wednesday of the month, Leo Club meets at 6 PM to talk about upcoming events and finances. In order to join the club, fill out this application, and please bring $10 for dues and money for a t-shirt to our next meeting on Wednesday, February 15th in Room 3. Leo members are required to attend 4 out of the 8 monthly meetings, volunteer for at least three club events, and volunteer at 2 shifts at Lions Daze. For more information, please go to our website or email us at sussex.leo.club@gmail.com.
One thing is clear. Becoming a Leo is advantageous to you and the community around you. Not only does it enable you to become part of our Sussex Leo family, but it also enables you to become a member of the global Leo community. Serving and giving back allows you to become a more well-rounded individual with the satisfaction of helping others while you are doing it. The Sussex Leo Club hopes you consider joining the Leo family and spreading the word by encouraging your friends to join the club as well.
