So, your mom’s been on your case to “get involved” in your “community” and be “social,” right? I get it. I feel you. But, believe it or not, you can make the ‘rents happy, help people, and still enjoy yourself. GROUNDBREAKING.

The up and coming club, Change for Change, makes volunteering feel far from work. Founded by junior Mary Grace Phelan, the club has reached impressive success in only two years. Its main focus is fundraising and working service projects for organizations that benefit children with disabilities. In such a short time, Change for Change has found a way to support organizations like Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA), Marklund, and Smile Train.

Their past events can only project the successes they will undoubtedly achieve as they progress. Over the summer, they worked with FVSRA in the “Lose the Training Wheels” event. The volunteers met for a week at the Vaughn Center in Aurora to teach children with disabilities how to ride bikes. Ask anyone who helped out and they’ll be brimming with great reviews of the event and how much fun they had.

Change for Change’s most recent success would have to be the car wash on September 20th outside the Benjamin Moore paint shop on state street. In just five hours, the club raised over $1,100 in donations that went straight to Smile Train. The Smile Train organization looks for donations to give children cleft-lip and palate surgeries in third world countries. Each surgery is $250, so the club surpassed their goal with flying colors and earned surgeries for four different children.

Mary Grace Phelan and Change for Change are making volunteering look easy. If you’re looking to help people in need, have loads of fun with friends, or just get some G.I.V.E. hours then this club is not to be missed. Look for the shirts with their tagline “Normal is Overrated” and ask how you can get involved, or see Mrs. Phelan in the counseling and advising office. You (and your parents) will be glad you did.