Stories

On July 28th, NorCal Student Corps members gathered to help RAFT (Resource Area For Teaching) prepare for the upcoming school year. Some students scalloped cardboard, while others bundled yarn for upcoming RAFT products. Another group sorted donated materials, STEAM Project Kits, and school supplies. Through volunteering, the students enabled local educators to implement hands-on techniques in their STEAM curriculum. In addition, RAFT’s use of donated and recycled products ensured that this learning would not come at the cost of the environment. 

Written by Michelle Li

On April 7, Northern California Student Corps chapters returned to action with Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful. Both parties celebrated the continued partnership with a resoundingly successful creek cleanup, a fitting—if somewhat early—observance of Earth Day. Students gave their full effort for three hours, helping to remove nearly six thousand pounds of trash ranging from tiny plastics to a dining table. Other highlight finds included seventeen shopping carts, numerous bicycle frames and parts, and a washing machine drum embedded in the creek bed, which a number of students worked tirelessly to remove for over an hour. By the end of the event, students were left fulfilled knowing that their efforts removed trash that would have directly caused harm throughout the Bay Area’s ecosystems.

Written by Steven Wang

On February 24th, 2024, the final day of the Spring Festival, the LexiBright Chapter of Student Corps organized a remarkable art exhibition celebrating the history and cultural traditions of the Lunar New Year celebration. From art pieces depicting tang yuan to fantastical scenes of the Marriage of Mice, 48 talented youth artists from Lexington and neighboring communities came together to create framed drawings depicting the traditions of the 16 days of the Spring Festival. These young artists also demonstrated their commitment to environmental sustainability by hand-drawing over 60 canvas tote bags.

The proceeds generated from the sale of the artwork and canvas bags during the event went towards the local Cary Memorial Library’s Children’s Room renovation fund, fostering the flourishing of young minds within the community. The fundraiser, which raised over $900, was hugely successful, highlighting the artistic talent of local youth and sharing the celebrations of the Spring Festival with the community.

Written by Ailan Guo

On February 19th President’s Day a group of volunteers, ranging from 6th to 10th grade, took a trip to the Springfield branch of Ronald McDonald House Charities. That day, volunteers prepared a “meal from the heart” consisting of tasty sweets, juicy chicken wings, delicious noodles, and more. In addition, volunteers interacted with child residents by playing games despite language and cultural barriers. A wonderful day full of big smiles!

Lunar New Year holds profound significance to Chinese communities worldwide as part of our culture and collective identity. The celebration allows us to share the traditions and joys of our festive holiday with more people across the world. By engaging in events like tasting Chinese pastries, paper cutting, and face painting, cultural barriers are no longer bridged as individuals from diverse backgrounds come together. The Bridge Chapter organized volunteers to face-paint Chinese traditional flowers and Chinese symbolic water tattoos on children and adults during Weston High School’s Lunar New Year festival. Seeing all the smiles after painting is truly a delight!

Written by Xixi Cui and Dora Mou
Edited by Melinda Yu