By Katy Nguyen, Staff Writer
On Saturday, Fountain Valley KIWIN’S held a charity event for Thirst Project at the Heritage Park, where they received over 50 attendees, including members of Fountain Valley Kiwanis, Fountain Valley Historical Society and local families. They made over $800 and all the proceeds are set to go the Thirst Project.
Thirst Project is a non-profit organization whose aim is to bring safe, clean drinking water to communities that lack immediate access. Thirst Project has funded projects 2,652 in 13 countries over the past seven years.
They are partners with Key Club International (KCI), a student-led organization for volunteering services, which Fountain Valley KIWIN’S is under. Starting Jan. 28, the two organizations launched their collaboration project called Thirsty 30, which challenged students to raise money for clean water projects in the Kingdom of Eswatini in Africa.
“There’s so much that we take for granted in this world and we forget that there are people who aren’t able to have the same resources or opportunities as us. It’s important to raise awareness about that, and overall try to do good things in life. It doesn’t hurt anybody to help others,” said Fountain Valley KIWIN’S senior president Cecilia Nguyen.
The event started at 2 p.m. where attendees gathered at the gazebo and seated for introductions. Around them were a photo booth, a crafts table, a food table, an auction table and a display gala to showcase the Thirst Project.
Seniors Cecilia Nguyen and Madelyn Moua smiles. Photo by Kiet Phan.
Alongside Nguyen, senior Madelyn Moua, Fountain Valley KIWIN’S historian, led the event by introducing the Thirst Project and the performance lineup, consisting of Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) students junior Jozie McCraney and senior William Tran’s band, Hormonal Oppression, as well as former student Sandra On.
“The event went a lot better than I expected. Everyone who came was incredibly supportive, and I don’t think it could have gone any better. The performances were absolutely amazing, our activities were interactive, and our raffles and auctions were successful,” said Nguyen.
Fountain Valley KIWIN’S is one of the first clubs at FVHS to hold an event in such a large scale.
“I think it’s important to hold charity events, as well as help out the community in general. Usually, our club likes to volunteer at local events and have the typical fundraisers like dine-outs or ice skating, but this was a unique fundraiser,” said Nguyen.
Fountain Valley KIWIN’s, is one of the many Key Clubs under KCI that are making a global impact in the world through their numerous service projects with their charity partners.
“It’s easy to feel that because of our young age, high schoolers can’t do much, but it’s exactly the opposite. High schoolers are a force to be reckoned with, and there is so much that we have already done to change the world. Whether it be protesting, volunteering or fundraising, high schoolers have made a huge impact already,” said Nguyen.
