By: Whitney Tran
There are many clubs on our campus that are based on volunteer work and helping out the community. One of these clubs is Acts of Random Kindness, commonly known as ARK. Their main goal is to make our community a better place by organizing uplifting events that makes the small things in life a great difference.
Holiday Care pARKages is an annual event hosted by Acts of Random Kindness Clubs throughout the Bay Area during the holiday season, Co-President Elaine Tran said. Over 200 ARKers come together every year and this year was its fourth consecutive year, she added.
“We come together to create care packages that include everyday things such as clean socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand sanitizers, soap bars, and water bottles,” Tran said. “Everyone is welcome to help and to donate materials,” she added.
The holiday care packages were distributed throughout downtown San Jose to those who need it, Co-President Maggie Ly said. They were specifically distributed to the homeless and to orphanages, she added.
“Everyone [that] the ARK members meet truly appreciate [the care packages] because we get to give them the package in person and see an immediate response,” Ly said. “It’s such a special event.”
Students had the opportunity to bond with fellow ARKers from other schools while doing a good deed for their community, Ly said. Students do not have to be an ARK member to come, and anyone willing to lend a helping hand was welcomed, she added.
The event was held at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in Downtown San Jose on December 15 from 9:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tran said. People who were interested RSVP’d a few weeks ago on their Facebook page, she said.
Students were able to make a huge impact through small acts of giving, Ly said. Volunteers were told to bring something to keep warm, and any of the following materials” clean socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap bars, and hand sanitizers, she added.