It’s November, a time of change at Minnetonka High School. Fall sports conclude their glorious season while winter sports begin theirs. We say goodbye to sweater weather and greet the new snow either with disdain or joy (there is no in-between). However, with the holidays right around the corner, one very important aspect of Minnetonka High School continues strong: the hundreds of dedicated student volunteers that work even harder during this time of the year to help those in need. Volunteering is a cornerstone of our community here and you can be a part of it. Here are a few organizations that you can get involved with this winter.

Optimist Club

From organizing events like the rake-a-thon to running the blood drives at our school, this enthusiastic group does it all. “What I really like about Optimist is that it’s a good mesh of every kind of volunteering.” club member Ella Hennen (‘15) says. And on top of this, Optimist Club is really unique as there are no fees required for participation. Another club member Samantha Topp (‘15) says that “Optimist club provides an opportunity for students at the High School to get involved in the community without having to face the cost of the activities fee.” It’s free for anyone to join. So if you’re looking for variety of volunteer work, but don’t want to pay the activities fee, then this is the club for you.

Backpack Tutoring

Another great volunteering organization that you can get involved with is Backpack Tutoring; in this club, you and your friends go to Folwell Elementary School in Minneapolis once a week to tutor students in math, reading, and various other subjects. Transportation is provided and you get a chance to make new friends. Anika Shah (‘15), one of organization’s leaders, says, “I love Backpack Tutoring because I get to see [the student’s] improvement first hand all while forming an amazing bond with them. We learn from each other.” If you’re passionate about teaching and helping others, give Backpack a try.

National Honor Society

You might have already heard about this incredible group of volunteers. NHS members are dedicated to helping….well, everyone. Make note that NHS isn’t just a group of volunteers; they don’t target a specific type of project, but rather participate in projects across the spectrum. You’ll see these superstars everywhere, whether they’re tutoring after school and during zero hour, or managing the Minnetonka Box Office. The variety of volunteer work NHS participates in doesn’t