Believe it or not, a group of high school students can make an impact on children in developing countries. Nearly 200 Diamond Bar High School students are members of the club UNICEF, with the goal of making a change in the world and their community, through volunteering and donating.

UNICEF was started at DBHS in 2013 by student Jonathan Tau, with the purpose of bringing awareness to high school students about children living in poverty, and helping those children in developing countries gain access to free education, equal opportunities, and proper nutrition.

Starting off its first year with a mere 20 members, UNICEF has successfully expanded their mission on campus, and now has ten times the membership.

“I’m really excited because we’re coming up with new events that relate to helping children in Third World countries,” historian Mena Kim said.

UNICEF engages in events that help the underprivileged citizens in their community. Every Saturday, through a nonprofit organization called Bread of Angels, UNICEF club members help serve a warm meal for the needy in a Brea church. The club also participates in canned food drives to donate to the hungry, and Operation Christmas Child to help package shoe boxes that include resources that poor children need.

“They really appreciate what we do for them and try their best to help us in any way that they can,” freshman Angela Zhang said.

In addition to helping the underprivileged citizens of the community, UNICEF helps children in impoverished countries as well. Every Halloween, instead of just collecting candy, club members participate in UNICEF’s own trick or treat, where they go around the community to collect donations.

The club made over $400 last year, which went toward helping children in developing countries. Aside from trick or treating, all the profit the club makes from boba sales, food fairs, and fundraisers are donated to the organization.

On top of the myriad events that UNICEF partakes in, the club is planning to add more volunteering events that aid those in the community. The club is hoping to participate in the Operation Toy Drive, in which they will visit a children’s hospital to give gifts to the patients and spend time with them.

They are also planning a charity gala with campus club, Interact, to donate towards the fight against Polio, a virus that may cause paralysis, and also a beach cleanup event. One of the biggest events UNICEF is hoping to participate in is the Tap Water Project, which would help citizens of poor countries gain access to clean water to prevent diseases and viruses from spreading.

“I hope that [members] can help continue UNICEF’s mission and continue to grow the club in the future,” President Dorothy Lewes said.