REACH

REACH stands for ‘Remember Every Action Can Help’, and is tasked with helping those in and around the Kent community. Annual events include the Fall Tag Sale, in which items (such as mini-fridges, lamps, phones, couches, and other dorm items) donated by students each spring are sold to new and returning students the following fall. The Tag Sale takes place the first weekend of school, and the money raised goes towards buying new school clothes and school supplies for needy children living in the town of Kent. The Tag Sale generally raises $2000, enough to sponsor 6-7 local children.

At the end of October, REACH sells Halloween goody bags to students and teachers, and the money raised goes towards buying Christmas presents for local children. The club is usually able to buy presents for 10 children through this fundraiser. The club looks to sponsor even more children by opening up gift buying to the entire Kent community through our annual ‘Angel Tree’, where students and faculty are invited to purchase specific items that children have requested.

In February, REACH teams up with a local nun who ministers to the homeless in New York City. REACH sponsors a week long drive for toiletry items to make care kits for the homeless, filling bags with toothpaste, combs, aspirin, cough drops, socks, etc. In addition, members bake homemade cookies all week long to distribute goody bags to the homeless as well. When possible, members go to New York City to help distribute the bags.

During the spring term, REACH members take advantage of the good weather by hosting the Rubber Ducky Race, held on Macedonia Brook; and the Car Wash, held at the hockey rink. Proceeds from these two events go to a local charity of the clubs choosing. Each April, REACH members also participate in the New York City AIDS Walk, and raise money that directly benefits agencies that search for a cure for HIV/AIDS, and supports those living with HIV/AIDS.

Throughout the year, students volunteer at Loaves and Fishes, a local soup kitchen. Different groups of students head to the soup kitchen each Wednesday afternoon to help prepare, serve and clean up after a meal. In addition, students will also volunteer to prepare a meal at Kent, which will then be served at the soup kitchen.