R-MA Interact Club students ring bells, raise money

On a recent December afternoon, Randolph-Macon Academy Middle School Interact Club Students rang the bell for the Salvation Army ‘a annual “Kettle Campaign” at the Front Royal Rural King.
The students rang the bell for three hours, smiling and wishing neighbors a Merry Christmas. Pictured from left to right are: Will Ponczak, Kunze Li, Haley Clingerman, Autumn Thomas and Graham Randlett.

FRONT ROYAL — The Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA) Middle School Interact Club was chartered in November of 2010, by the (thenRotary Club of Linden, now Rotary Club of Warren County.

There are currently 34 members, out of a student body of 54. The club’s adviser, R-MA Director of Student Life, Michael S. Williams, says that 34 members of the 54-member student body belong to the club.  Williams is also a member of The Rotary Club of Warren County.

Since its inception, the club has raised over $10,000.00 for humanitarian relief locally, regionally and worldwide, through fund raising activities such as “Penny Wars”, bake sales, concession sales at R-MA sporting events, civilian clothing days, bell ringing for the Salvation Army and car washes. The club participates each year in the “Adopt a Warrior for Christmas” program through Able Forces (a local organization that helps wounded veterans find sustainable employment), the Front Royal Salvation Army food pantry and winter clothing program, “Stop Hunger Now”, as well as assisting local families in need.

Following the Haiti earthquake, the club raised over $1,000 in one week, to purchase a “Shelter Box” through Rotary International.

The club’s president is 8th grade student, Lily Grossman.