Raking leaves is a menial task, a necessary accompaniment to the beauty of fall colors. Most people take care of their own yards, but some Geneva students also chip in to help the community.
Every year on Thanksgiving, DECA hosts the Fall Clean-Up event, giving service to the community by helping someone who can’t take care of their own yard. This year, the event was held in Geneva, at a house along West State Street.
“We rake all the leaves, trim all the bushes, clean gutters, and do other yardwork for them,” DECA Co-President Alex Howe said.
The club teams up with Batavia Rotary to identify who they can help. Through this partnership, the Clean-Up has become an annual tradition. This year was the sixth edition of the event. Howe has participated all four years, and this is the most important service project many members will do all year.
“The feeling of accomplishment through charity makes this event a tradition that DECA members look forward to every year,” Geneva Co-President and Illinois DECA President, Minzie Choi said.
Service is one of the core values of DECA, which requires all members to attend two philanthropy events to participate in competitions. This event is extra special for DECA members because it falls on Thanksgiving every year.
“Thanksgiving is a day when people take the time to reflect on all the things that they are thankful for,” DECA member Logan Bova said. “By doing an event like this, it gives people yet another thing to reflect upon and give thanks for.”
Beyond being necessary for competition, serving others is beneficial in other ways.
“[The volunteers] learn the value of supporting struggling families and members in their community on a day that celebrates gratitude and the acknowledgement of benefits and favors,” Choi said.
And it’s not just DECA members that can participate.
“We encourage our members to bring their friends to have as many people as possible come and help,” Choi said.
Beyond service, DECA is an important part of many students’ lives because of the benefits it provides outside the classroom. The career and educational benefits of DECA are real.
“Participating in the club has drastically improved my ability to articulate thoughts and ideas, and turned me into an effective leader, both skills that I will be grateful to have no matter what career I end up in,” Howe said.
One of the most important skills DECA members learn is networking, building a web of interactions that grows continuously.
“My favorite thing about DECA is the community not only in Geneva High School but throughout the state,” Howe said. “Seeing thousands of members, and even tens of thousands of people at ICDC dedicated to sharpening their professional skills, all while having fun and making new friends is something fantastic to see.”
Even if DECA has personal benefits for the members, it is truly all about giving back to the community.
“Every bit of service someone does for another person improves both of their lives,” Howe said. “Improving lives is what DECA is all about.”
