After all the meetings we’d held to iron out details, finalize plans, and delegate tasks, our idea had transformed into a genuine success. With minimal help from adults, we’d brightened the middle schoolers’ day with hot chocolate and we had raised money to buy groceries for the House of Hope! For me, this was the first time I felt like a contributing member of this community, like my actions and ideas and time could directly help those in need. I felt independent, yet also connected to my fellow club members, smiling as they passed out hot chocolate, connected to the school body, flocking toward the stand, and connected to the families out there who would receive those groceries.