Youth club encourages philanthropy and volunteering

Ava Saunders has a passion for getting involved and giving back to the community.

Now the 14-year-old president of the Interact Club of Collingwood is looking for more youth between the ages of 12 to 18 to join her in the fun. 

"I've only been with the club for a year but I've been helping out for a long time," said the Grade 10 student at Collingwood Collegiate Institute.

That's because her father James Saunders is a past president of the Collingwood Rotary Club and her sister Abbie Saunders, now 23, helped found of the Interact Club back in 2017/2018. Ava learned about the club from her sister and helped her father where she could.

In its early days, Interact had 40 members. The club is still rebuilding after the COVID pandemic. Currently, there are 10 members but Saunders wants to double that.

"It's not very well known. It used to be. We are trying to promote it on Facebook and Instagram but it takes a while," Saunders said. The club is also designing a website.

Interact is supported by both the South Georgian Bay and Collingwood Rotary clubs. Interact meets every Monday from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Rotary Community Hub at 199 Campbell St. They plan fundraising events for local charities and fun, monthly events for members.

Nov. 2 is the next fundraising event with a movie night, showing Encanto. It takes place at the Hub from 5:30 to 8 p.m. There will be free popcorn, goodie bags and beverages. Entrance is by donation. Funds raised go toward the Rotary Heart Foundation, which helps people in Costa Rica get back on their feet, Saunders said.

"I like doing it because it's fun. I like being a part of stuff and joining in on things. I think it's cool that we are donating money to people and programs that need it," she said. 

Members have begun organizing the Battle of the Bands fundraiser to be held in February.

"Right now, we are planning a bunch of events. We are hoping that will get people and out and then everyone will know about us," Saunders said.

Recently, the Simcoe County Board of Education okayed Saunders request to put up posters in her school. She's looking for youth who are interested in social justice, arts, athletics and volunteer work.

"We want all of those people because it's good to have a diverse club so they can bring more things to the table. I'm aiming more for art students because I'm in the CCI music program."

Anyone from any school who is willing and interested to do fun things and work on projects is welcome, Saunders added.

Interact is also a club where high school students can get volunteer work required to graduate.

People think Interact takes up too much time, but it can be as little as one hour a week for the meeting, Saunders said.

"It's fun because you get to meet a bunch of people."

Saunders said she "definitely" plans to stay involved with Rotary for the long term.

Anyone interested in joining Interact can email: [email protected]