The League Working with Students in "The Drive," a Food and Clothing Charity Event

At a time when kids as generally represented as spoiled, selfish, and irresponsible, The LEAGUE, a nationwide youth organization, is working with schools to empower students to contribute to their communities. Students across the country are preparing to participate in the largest student run food and clothing event called "The Drive."

This year's event is expected to generate more than $1 million in food and clothing. "The Drive" is one of six events planned by the LEAGUE. Its focus will be on hunger and homelessness. This event will run from November 7th through the 21st. Other student run events planned include King Day, Art From the Heart, Earth Day, and Penny Drive.

The LEAGUE was created by the merging of two non-profit organizations, Community League and Learning to Give. Community League focused upon community service as a team sport. Learning to Give developed educational material teaching kids about volunteering. The two organizations merged in 2006. The LEAGUE is a school based organization which uses a three-prong system focusing on events, curriculum, and recognition.

Teachers who sign up with The LEAGUE become coaches. These coaches are offered a variety of options to participate from lessons to five minute learning links. There are over 1,200 lesson plans available to teachers free of charge on the LEAGUE's website. The lessons are tailored for different grade levels. Teachers then appoint students to act as captains to lead the class in community service.

Students earn points for items delivered to community agencies. These points, which are converted to dollar values, represent the value their activities are contributing to the community. The LEAGUE also offers rewards to classes and individual students. Students have four different achievement levels they can strive towards: Star, Superstar, Champion, and Master. Currently there are 1904 classes and 299 schools participating in The LEAGUE. The LEAGUE's website shows nationwide standings for classes and schools. Students participating can log on and check to see how their school is doing against a sister school.

Studies have shown that students who participate in school-based service combined with service learning are more likely to continue to volunteer, report a higher positive experience, have a greater belief in their ability to make a difference in their community, and to take an interest in current events and politics. Dorothy Johnson, The LEAGUE Board Vice Chair, agrees, "America's youth are bright and enthusiastic and can achieve anything they put their minds to, particularly when they work as one. The Drive makes that possible, and quantifies the results, all while connecting it to classroom learning."

Sources:
The LEAGUE, "Be Part of America's Largest Student-Run Food and Clothing Drive", PR News Wire.
"Service-Learning Linked to Positive Civic Attitudes and Behaviors Among Youth, New Study Finds", Corporation for National and Community Service.
The LEAGUE, Leagueworldwide.org.