Being a volunteer is not very hard to do, all you need is time, an organization to volunteer at and the willingness to work.

Committing to volunteering will help you meet new people, get new experiences, plus  boost your social skills.

Many students here at Gahr volunteer their time. They feel volunteering makes a person feel fulfilled and satisfied.

Key Club member Zaneta Agu (12) has not missed one volunteer event except for one due to basketball.

She likes to  help Key Club improve the community. She thinks many people should volunteer because it makes you feel accomplished.

“When you see people’s reaction you get inspired to help out more in your community, and Key Club helped me to open up to people,” Agu said.

Volunteer work comes in many forms.

Some examples are providing your time at dog shelters, churches  and various  organizations that clean the beach or help serve needy people food.

Helping others can impact you positively.

When you start to apply for colleges, a major factor is your extra curricular activities.

“There’s always a part where [the schools] ask what volunteer jobs you have done, in your college application. They want to see how much work you can do while juggling your school and the work you  have to improve yourself,” Nicole Bear, College Career Center Specialist said.

Colleges request that applicants have experienced volunteer work. Colleges give preference to students who can handle school and extra curricular activites.

If  interested in volunteering, go online and search volunteer opportunities in Cerritos, Artesia, Long Beach or anywhere you want to volunteer.

There are many ways to help, but it is up to you to decide to volunteer.

The club is becoming more involved in volunteering in various places in the community. An upcoming community service event is around the Christmas season. The club will be organizing shoe boxes filled with goods such as  personal necessities, toys for kids and other supplies for the less fortunate.

Lunch is provided during each meeting and everyone is encouraged to join the Club.  There is no discrimination against students denominations,  you do not have to be a Christian to join and be apart of the  Jesus Club.

A club member said,“ I like the bible studies we get from Martin. They are all life changing. Also, spending time to communicate with those who share the same faith is an awesome experience,” Eluzai Salmeron(10).

Make sure to drop by Scott Gordon’s class every Monday and check out Jesus Club.

“I liked how this year that other clubs from Gahr went to AIDS Walk along with Key Club. Not only as a club but as a school we should spread awareness about the AIDS Walk to all,” Shannon Lee (11) said.

The 6.2 mile walk  around West Hollywood was tiresome for many, but it was all worth it in the end, because AIDS Walk raised more then $3 million for the organizations that work to help prevent AIDS. In addition, Gahr raised more then $500 to help.

“I would of expected AIDS Walk to be long, because I already think the two mile run we do at P.E. is tiring,” Gabriel Cabra (9) said.

Students from WAC, Barkada, Spanish, French, NHS, CSF and Key Club participated in this special event.

For some students, it was their first time, while others were veterans to this walk.

“Out of all the years I went to the walk, I think this year had the best school spirit! The Key Club president, Bruce Guu, did a great job of pumping everyone up and teaching the chants. Everyone participated with so much energy,” Bianca Togonon (12) said.

Students not only had fun walking to support AIDS Walk, but had fun challenging other Key Clubbers around California that attended.

“My favorite time at AIDS Walk was when we challenged other Key Club divisions and beat them with our full spirited members and schoolmates from other clubs! It feels great to have a bunch of our schoolmates from all grade levels team up as one to represent our school and just give nothing but good vibes,” Diane Ilegan (12) said.

For the many first timers, AIDS Walk was not what they had expected. Many thought it to be extremely difficult and tiring.

“After I went home from AIDS Walk, I decided to take the greatest, longest nap I have ever taken. The best part about my nap was my dream where I was back at the AIDS Walk except I wasn’t walking with the Key Clubbers from Gahr, I was walking with the red Power Ranger I saw there. I then woke up around midnight to finish all of my boring homework. Overall it was worth it because AIDS Walk was one of the funnest events I have ever attended,” Christian Villa (11) said.

AIDS Walk not only raised money for medication given to AIDS patients, but it also inspired many walkers there to stand and fight this disease together.

The atmosphere was truly inspiring for every walker there. Gahr students were proud to walk for such a cause.

“I really loved this year’s AIDS Walk. I walked with all of my friends and close teachers. Everyone seemed to be in a really good mood and just really excited. The music got everyone dancing and it was fun and we all had a great time,” Victoria Simbol (12) said.

Hopefully, this new tradition of every club from Gahr going to the  AIDS Walk continues for years to come. Students not only walk, but walk for a reason, and that reason is to find a cure for AIDS.

“I would come back next year to this event. I want to support AIDS Walk and walk another six miles for a good cause!,” Benson Chao (10) said.