The Paly Chick-fil-A Leader Academy chapter hosted a service project on April 22 to assemble care packages for survivors of domestic violence. The nationwide student leadership program, which is sponsored by Chick-fil-A restaurant operators, strives to make a positive impact on the community by providing volunteering opportunities

Students from schools around the Bay Area came together at this event, which focuses on packaging items like water bottles and notebooks. These items are later distributed to the Riley Center, an organization that supports domestic violence survivors.

Arnold Chong, the restaurant operator at the Sunnyvale Chick-fil-A, said the Paly Chick-fil-A Leader Academy chapter worked hard to organize this day.

“The amazing thing about today’s event was that it was truly organized and led by our student leaders and school facilitators,” Chong said. “Local Chick-fil-A owners love to support and sponsor these events, but the real magic happens when the students and teachers come together to create something great.”

Junior Benjamin Kim, president of Paly’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy Club, said the project, while complex, taught him key leadership skills.

“Planning the project was a very complicated process,” Kim said. “I learned how to be organized, how to plan well and also how to be smart financially from this project, because we ran into some problems with the amount of money that we were given and all this stuff that we needed to buy.”

Kayla Choe, a freshman at Crystal Springs Upland School, said she joined in the project because she was looking for opportunities to support the local community.

“One of the reasons I wanted to participate in this project was because it really pains me to see people, specifically women and children, struggle with even going to a safe home,” Choe said. “If these care packages can make these families even smile and know that someone cares for them, it is exciting to participate in something like that.”

Volunteer Sean Chae, a sophomore at Valley Christian High School, said he appreciated the opportunity to both hang out with friends and serve the community.

“The most memorable part was seeing my friends from other schools and spending time with them, but more specifically volunteering in this project with them,” Chae said. “It was basically my first time volunteering with my friends because usually I do it alone, and I thought that it was pretty unique.”

In addition, Choe said she learned how her actions, even as a high schooler, can have a positive impact on her community. 

“The most memorable moment was getting to see the people from the organization share their mission and how much these packages will positively impact a family,” Choe said. “It really made me excited about it and how our work was going to be something amazing.”

Chae said he hopes this event will prove to others that even small acts of service can lead to big change.

“I hope that it inspires the older generation and the people around us to know that there is still a heart to serve within communities and that even something like this can make a huge difference in someone’s life,” Chae said.

For Chong, this project reflects the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy’s commitment to community service.

“This was a perfect example of the powerful outcomes that can occur through Chick-fil-A Leader Academy programs,” Chong said. “Chick-fil-A Leader Academy generously donated all of the emergency kit supplies for this event and enabled our student leaders to bring this project to life for a local Bay Area organization. They also flew out to Palo Alto and joined us on-site to help facilitate and participate in creating impact at a local level.”

And Kim said he thinks this project will have a greater impact than expected. 

“I really do think that this will be a very impactful project because these care packages don’t only have essential things, but they also have small toys and things to just take their mind off of their current situation and really help them find some sort of comfort,” Kim said.

Chong said the project was ultimately successful, and he hopes there will be more student-led events he can attend.

“This event had an immediate positive impact on our recipient organization, the Riley Center, with both the emergency kits and the financial donations that were presented,” Chong said. “In addition to that, I hope that our event inspires future student-led projects and fundraising campaigns that will benefit local organizations across the Bay Area.”

For Choe, said she hopes students believe their actions can change society, even if it is through other volunteering opportunities.

“I hope that the community will be inspired to make an impact in their local communities,” Choe said. “Whether it’s food drives or public clean-ups, we can help out in so many ways that are simple and beneficial at the same time. I hope that this event inspired many students today so we can make the Bay Area a place that serves others.”