Key Club’s Target Shopping Tour for a Good Cause
December 18, 2023
Huntington High School Key Club members went on their annual holiday shopping tour at Target, picking out gifts for local children who come from families that are struggling financially.
More than 50 Key Club members turned out along with club alumni who were home from college for the holidays. The Huntington club worked with the local Kiwanis Club and Town of Huntington Director of Human Services Kevin Thorbourne to select and purchase winter clothing essentials for kids in the community.
The Key Club’s officers include Charlotte Gordon (president), Jack Ruthkowski (vice president), Samantha Koepele (historian), Brooke Parks (secretary), Giovanna Lanfranco (treasurer), Jaipreet Singh (chief financial assistant) and attendance officers Marianna Diaz, Nicolas Francis and John Joyce. English teachers Kelly Krycinski and Gina Colica are the organization’s longtime faculty advisors.
“This year's Target Tour was a wonderfully rewarding and fun-filled morning,” Ms. Gordon said. “The Key Clubbers were matched with a local child to take holiday shopping for winter essentials. We then ventured over to Half Hollow Hills West to wrap the presents, sing songs, eat pizza and even meet Santa Claus. Smiles and festive spirits abounded. We are incredibly grateful to Jerry Asher and the Kiwanians, as well as Target staff, for making the experience possible. I can't think of a more wonderful way to get Key Clubbers in the holiday spirit!”
The youngsters will receive the gifts over the holiday break as they celebrate with their families. “Our students worked really hard at the event and demonstrated what philanthropy is all about,” Ms. Krycinski said. “We were especially happy to see all the alumni who came, proving this is a fantastic experience that warms the heart.”
A completely separate project saw the Key Club along with the students and staff of Huntington High School collecting over 200 gifts to donate to the Family Service League and Tri-CYA for Project Toy. “We work closely with Lisa Jamison to make this happen,” Mrs. Colica said. “It was amazing to see the generosity the Huntington students, staff and families demonstrated this year. So proud of all who helped.”
