Empowering Youth Through International Service Projects

The Rhinebeck Rotary's Interact Club is giving high school students a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful community service projects both locally and globally. With projects facilitated and guided by dedicated Rotarians like Dana Page and Jeff Scales, these young individuals are putting down their phones and picking up tools to make a difference around the world.

The Interact Club aims to inspire and educate students on the importance of community service. According to Dana Page, "We've moved the location this year to the American Legion in Rhinebeck, and I have offered up my own band to play for this event. We're going to have a real groovy, far-out shindig." Dana has been an advisor for the international trips for six years. "It's inspiring to go on and do really great humanitarian things," she adds.

Jeff Scales, who has been an advisor to the Interact Club since 2010, emphasizes the importance of both local and international service. As the chair of Rhinebeck Rotary's International Committee, Jeff reflects, "The more miserable the task, the more horrible the thing we ask them to do, the more they like it."

This spirit of service is what the Interact Club is all about, providing students like Graham and Sam with opportunities to learn, grow, and give back. This year, 16 students will travel to Guatemala in February to build a school for children with disabilities, engaging in both construction work and immersive cultural experiences.

Mark your calendars for an exciting fundraiser event on January 23rd, from 7 to 10 PM at the American Legion in Rhinebeck. It's a chance to support the club's international endeavors while enjoying live music from Dana Page's band. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased through the Rhinebeck Rotary website.



For more details, visit rhinebeckrotary.org and become a part of this life-changing initiative.

Listen to the full interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZX7b9jPBV8ggnwZLcnOrI?si=eSRfmcXuRSqqP8yJsVdDkA