Grand Island Rotary, Interact clubs collect for less-fortunate

By Michael J. Billoni

Despite operating under a hybrid school schedule at Grand Island Senior High School, nearly 40 students became members of this year’s Rotary Club of Grand Island-sponsored Interact Club.

Kari A. Nowak, a career and technical education and family and consumer services teacher at the high school, is the club adviser, following long-time leader Laura Estenoz. The students elected nine officers and immediately agreed upon a community service project that began last week – collecting toiletries, socks and gloves for the homeless.

The students have created flyers and have posted them throughout the school and are active on social media notifying their fellow students about the drive. They are seeking large sizes of heavy socks and gloves and among the toiletries they are looking for are tooth brushes, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

“We meet every week via Zoom and I have been extremely excited about these students and how they have embraced the community service aspect of Rotary and the Interact clubs. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we are looking forward to a very successful year,” Nowak said.

Residents who wish to participate may drop-off the donations in the hampers inside Niagara Frontier Publications, 1859 Whitehaven Road; or Dollar General, 2391 Grand Island Blvd. The drive runs through Dec. 4.