Chanhassen Students Rewarded For Community Work
CHANHASSEN (WCCO) -- There is nothing flashy about Chanhassen's International Club. The 50 students involved in it admit they fly under the radar. But when you give back as much as these students do, it's hard to stay out of the spotlight.
"We packed 360,000 meals for kids and families in Haiti," said Luci Drill-Mellum.
And that's just the start. The students also took part in a Kindness Retreat and participated in anti-bullying activities with 5th graders. But perhaps their greatest accomplishment is what they've done for Darrell Nelson and his family.
"When we found out he had cancer, we immediately found out what we could do. So, we raised as much money as we could through our community and our school," said Drill-Mellum.
Darrell Nelson's wife works at a neighboring school. The International Club wanted to help with his cancer treatments so they took to the school and the streets, raising more than $2,000 for the Nelson family.
"Me and my friends went house to house and raised $300 in our neighborhood," said Jake Roecker.
This group doesn't get a lot of attention, so we decided to give some attention to them. On Thursday morning, we presented them a check for $500 courtesy of Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum, and Carey and WCCO-TV. They will use the money to pay for a human rights activist to come and speak in the Chanhassen community. A decision that doesn't surprise their advisor.
"I think they are amazing and as adults they will pay it forward. As Luci said they are doing something uplifting and transpiring for people and that's the best life we can live," said advisor Amy Schuler.
The Chanhassen International Club still has plenty planned.
They have been collecting hygiene products to donate to Mary's Place in Minneapolis.
In March, they will be taking part in a sleep out designed to bring attention to people who are homeless.
