The tables were lined with goodies such as water bottles, small games, and travel-size toothbrushes. Each student took a tote they had decorated with hearts, stars and messages of love. Within minutes, the assembly line had completed the task of filling each bag for Mended Little Hearts of Central Virginia, a local support program for families of children with heart defects or heart disease. The afternoon is only one example of the many accomplishments of Swift Creek Middle School’s Interact Club.

The Interact Club, mentored by teachers Jennifer Berardo and Cathy Titus, was the first in the area. The Brandermill Rotary Club has been instrumental in support of the local and international activities the student-member club has focused on over the last four years. As the first club of its kind in the middle schools, with Midlothian and Tomahawk Creek middle schools to follow, the students have blazed a trail of goodwill with activities such as sending children’s books to an Afghanistan school and participating in American Cancer Society Relay for Life. “These kids are amazing,” Berardo said.

Berardo explained that the students in this spring’s project had to take a different approach in getting the items for the totes. “The rule was that no one could spend any money,” she said.

Instead of looking to their parents for a monetary donation, they had to be creative in finding sponsors or collecting items. Berardo explained that some students distributed paper grocery bags in their neighborhoods explaining the project and what items they were collecting and when they would return to pick up the items. “It’s similar to what the Boys Scouts do,” Berardo said.

Letters were also drafted to seek out support from businesses in the area. The club received a box of water bottles from a local pharmacy and also gift cards from local grocery store where they could reinvest in the project. “Sometimes it’s so easy for them to go to mom or dad, this was different in that they had to be creative,” she said.

Titus is proud of the many hours of hard work and the dedication she sees from each member as the club has grown over time. Both Berardo and Titus agree that students have really blossomed in the club in becoming independent leaders – a skill that will serve each student with time.

For more information about Mended Little Hearts, click here.