Continuing its yearly tradition, Paly’s Youth Community Service (YCS) Interact club, which “[offers] fellow club members multiple long and short-term service opportunities each week,” will organize another Service Day event, in order to provide a wide array of volunteer opportunities at local organizations, on Monday, April 23.

According to Co-President Mailinh Truong, the board of YCS-Interact starts planning Service Day about two months prior to the day of the even. This year, a total of 219 students have signed up.

“Service Day is important because it allows Paly students to give back to their community, be able to do service with friends, and become exposed to an activity of their choosing.”

YCS Co-President Mailinh Truong

Some of the options within Service Day include aiding those in a senior center, helping with the restoration of Half Moon Bay, aiding children in schools, providing relief to the Ecumencial Hunger Program and working with Animal Assisted Happiness.

Sophomore YCS member Shanthi Deivanayagam is taking the reins in order to lead in the effort to restore the Baylands.

“I chose to lead the Baylands because I really enjoy outdoor service that benefits the environment,” Deivanayagam said. “My favorite part of service day is being able to work all day and see what our help is doing for the environment and the community. I really like both YCS and Service Day because I am passionate about service and helping those in need by using the resources that I have access to.”

Additionally, sophomore Ariana Tabrizi has decided to lead the Blossom Birth service option. Blossom Birth is an organization which provides assistance to families who are expecting.

“I chose to lead Blossom Birth because I’m not so much of an outdoor person, but I really enjoy organizing things and helping out with everyday tasks,”  Tabrizi said. “My favorite part of service day is getting to meet a ton of new people and help out my community. I enjoy service day because I feel like it’s a really great time for our school to come out and show support for our community.”

Although Service Day will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., it will not interrupt any class periods, as it will take place on a flex day.  On service day, no classes will be held so as to allow volunteers to work without the possibility of falling behind. While signups have closed for this year, Service Day will continue to be an annua Paly tradition.