Stroudsburg’s Future Business Leaders of America have been hard at work within their community. The Stroudsburg High School FBLA chapter has volunteered at several events in our school district and the community.
On March 5, FBLA members attended the Arlington Fun Night, where they helped run stations of activities for the elementary students. Activities included arts and crafts, such as making bookmarks, reading time, face painting, and many others.
“Volunteering allows our members to connect with other students that they would not normally interact with,” says Logan Decker, 12.
On March 10, members went to the United Methodist Church located at 547 Main Street, Stroudsburg where Stroudsburg’s FBLA chapter has been working with the church for years, gathering donations and serving meals at the community soup kitchen.
FBLA members aided in the soup kitchen, where they helped prepare and serve 99 meals for those in the community. The meals consisted of chili, green beans, cornbread, cookies, and beverages, which were either donated or made by parents of FBLA members, SJHS staff, or SHS staff members.
Members of FBLA not only participate in volunteer opportunities with the club, but they also discover volunteering jobs they could do outside of the group. Part of the responsibilities of the chapter is to keep track all year of the volunteer hours for members in a competition known as “Big 33.”
Last year, Stroudsburg FBLA won first place at the State Leadership Conference for the number of hours the students completed and entered into the database. Monica Proud, 11, placed 7th in the state for her hours as an individual.
The members who complete volunteer work keep track of their hours to submit them to the competition. One of the officers, Gigi Parker, 11, is in charge of entering the hours that are submitted each month.
Volunteering has not only benefited the FBLA members by allowing them to make strong community connections but also by helping them to grow together as a chapter. As the school year continues, the members will continue to donate their time and effort for community and school district needs.
Monica Proud (11), Jessica Haggerty (11), Lile Bekaia (9), Alisabeth Guepet (11), and many other members will continue to volunteer their time independently over summer break. They can choose where they want to put their efforts and still log service hours for the chapter.
“Our community has helped our FBLA chapter as a whole by giving members a chance to help those in need,” explains Madison Cottle, 12.
Stroudsburg FBLA had volunteers walk in the annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 24th.
Upcoming service events include a Farm Animal Frolic at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farms in May.
If you’re interested in being a part of the Future Business Leaders of America in the coming school year, email Mrs. Haggerty (jhaggert@sburg.org) or stop by her room in G107 at the start of the next school year to receive a membership form!