Students review their experience with the children’s hospital volunteer club at Bowie High School, during this new school year.

President of the club senior Kate Oelkers describes how she got involved with the club. 

“In CHVC, we get involved by creating cards, crafts, Halloween goodie bags, and hosting a year boy toy drive. After each meeting,” Oelkers said. “I drove up to Dell Children’s Hospital to deliver the materials. I stay involved by hosting and planning the meetings, purchasing supplies, and working with administrators from the hospital.”

The pandemic caused the club to go virtual with Zoom meetings, Oelkers said that going online was difficult. 

“My least favorite experience with the club was having to host zoom meetings. It was very difficult last year to stay connected with both the hospital and the members of the club. Due to the lockdowns, it was nearly impossible to easily reach other people,” Oelkers said. “When we met in person, I could ask people for advice, help, and donations. When we were virtual, texting and emailing were the only options for communication which made it difficult. Additionally, all of the service projects had to take place at home. It was hard to stay motivated when we weren’t all together.”

Freshman Ella Rooney is a new member of the Children’s Volunteer Hospital Club this year, she describes how she likes this club so far.

“I am enjoying the club a lot,” Rooney said. “Because I can do it with my friends and I’m helping people.“

Becoming a leader at any activity or club isn’t easy and Oelkers explained on how she became the president of the children’s hospital volunteer club at Bowie.

“I started the club my sophomore year. I wanted to be president of a club at Bowie. To get a leadership role in a club, you basically have to be an upper class man. I wanted to start something immediately, so I founded the Children’s Hospital Volunteer Club with the help of my favorite freshman teacher,” Oelkers said. “I started planning my club my freshman year and laid out the information to Mr. Parente. He was eager to help me, so together we started the club.”

Freshman Emily Barr has the most hours put into this club as a ninth grader; she describes the children’s volunteer hospital club in her own words.

“This club gives you opportunities to help make kids at children’s hospitals happy,” Barr said. “Also to form more friendships.”