The Free the Children club has taken an active role in local and global service since its creation in 2014. This year the club started its own campaign called “We Aware” in which members hung informational posters around the school that focused on specific issues (overpopulation, natural disasters, etc.) They also successfully collected 75 non-perishable food items for the We Scare Hunger campaign in October.

One of the best ways for clubs to fundraise for a cause is through bake sales: in the Free the Children Bake Sale in November, club members raised $250 to provide clean water to a family for life. Although donations are important, the Free the Children club also participated in the We Are Love campaign in February; members wrote positive letters to American veterans.

In March, the club held another bake sale where they raised the most money any club has ever achieved at Marymount ($265!), and used the money to provide 5 children with primary education. By this point in the year, almost every club member had completed a local and global action which were the only two requirements to attend We Day: the culmination service concert to celebrate all the service that Free the Children participants do each year.

We Day 2016 was at the Forum in Los Angeles, California on April 7, and five Marymount Free the Children members attended. There were performances by Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Kermit the Frog and the Muppets, Seth Rogan, Big Sean, Martin Sheen, Joe Jonas, and more.

“We Day was very inspiring because it showed me that I am capable of making a difference in my community. It raised awareness for social issues that the ‘we’ generation could solve. I learned that my age doesn’t limit me from reaching my goals,” says club member Jenna Soong ’19.

The year has been extremely successful for the club and everyone is excited to make more social change and discuss social issues next year. Email Club President: [email protected] or Club Vice President [email protected] to join!