Student members of Oblock Junior High’s REACH OUT Club work year-round to extend a helping hand to children and families in need not only in Plum and surrounding communities but also across the United States and abroad. With the holiday season approaching, the club is busy working on ways to help as many families as possible.
REACH OUT was established in 2016 to provide the kinds of experiences that help student members gain critical skills in organization, leadership and empathy while volunteering and serving others. With more than 225 members, REACH OUT is sponsored by Mr. Ron Sakolsky and is run by co-presidents Sophie Anderson and Arjun Chopra who share responsibility for leading projects that help supply food for the Plum pantry, local churches and organizations and delivering meals to those in need or shut in. Other club projects include partnering with groups such as Serving Other Souls, the U.S. Military, PHS JROTC, and PHS Cheerleaders.
Mr. Sakolsky was inspired to teach and work with children by Mr. Pete Dixon, a fictional character that Lloyd Haynes played on the widely popular 70’s TV show called “Room 222” about a group of high school teachers and their students which ran from 1969 until 1974. “Starting the [REACH OUT Club] is by far one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made,” he said. “When you see the faces of those you help, you cannot ask to feel any better. The phenomenal students and parents I work with exceed any expectations anyone could have.”
The project that is closest to their hearts is working with the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) is known for their thrust to keep families close with their ability to supply lodging and resources for families who have a child or children that are in need of services at Children’s Hospitals across the United States. RMH believes “families are stronger when they are together.” The partnership allows for better communication and the opportunity for families to focus on each other versus their daily responsibilities.
The student members of REACH OUT not only provide groceries and prep meals for families during their stays at the Ronald McDonald House but they also support each other and serve as role models to Ronald McDonald House children. Student volunteers learn, develop, and demonstrate social, organization, and human relations skills; show teamwork; and share empathy.
For more information on volunteer opportunities with REACH OUT, contact Mr. Ron Sakolsky at 412.798.6322, ext. 3125.
For more information on the Ronald McDonald House, visit here.