It's important to give back to your community. It's important to give back to any community.

The Linden Hall Key Club has become a part of the Lititz community partly through the act of giving back.

"I think we try to instill in our students that Lititz might not be your hometown, but you're part of the Lititz community," said Chris Pula, Linden Hall's assistant director of student affairs who's been the Key Club's adviser for three years. "There are interactions between our school and the community, and you are part of the community. You have to impact communities everywhere you go. Just because you didn't grow up there doesn't mean you can't give back. We're trying to build community in Linden Hall and in Lititz and Lancaster County."

Located at 212 E. Main St., Lititz, Linden Hall School for Girls is an independent and international boarding and day school for girls in grades six through 12. Key Club is an international service club for high school students and an extracurricular activity that mirrors Linden Hall's mission of empowering girls to excel.

"For the most part, the girls feel proud of what they have accomplished," said Pula. "I think they feel accomplished in general. I think they're proud of what they've done and the differences that they make. (Giving back) can also be a humbling experience. Depending on who we are helping, people could be going through hard times. Some people have it worse than we do, and it makes you appreciate the things you do have."

The Linden Hall Key Club engages in altruistic activities such as assisting at shelters and with local community events, festivals, food drives, park cleanups and old battery collections, as well as helping with book, clothing and toy donations. The student-driven service organization also helps within the walls of Linden Hall to honor teachers, assist administrators and generally enrich the student experience.

"Our hope is that (members) learn time management and event planning," said Pula. "I think they also learn empathy and just general communication skills. It's also about making and building connections."

Currently, 15 Linden Hall students in grades nine through 12 are involved with Key Club.

"We have a diverse population. Some of our students are local, we have international students, and we have students from all over the country," said Pula. "They're kids who are trying to build themselves up and make a difference. They all have a similar mindset. They have drive, and they want to volunteer. Students take on responsibility, and they can develop themselves as leaders."

"As a member of Key Club, I've had the privilege of participating in meaningful community service projects that have allowed me to make a tangible impact on those in need," said Najaah, a Linden Hall senior and the student president of Key Club. "Being part of this club has deepened my understanding of the importance of teamwork, leadership and selflessness. It has changed my outlook on service and taught me to value small acts of kindness, seeing how they can ripple throughout a community."

Key Club is one of nearly 40 extracurricular, non-athletic clubs offered to Linden Hall students. Headquartered in Indiana and affiliated with Kiwanis Clubs, Key Club International includes nearly 230,000 members in over 1,000 clubs in 45 countries across the world.

"We think giving back is important," said Pula. "Everyone needs to realize they play a part in the places they grew up in and invest their time in them. (Members) realize the change they can make. We hope it has a ripple effect. We hope it impacts students, the community and surrounding communities."

Founded in 1746, Linden Hall School for Girls has a current enrollment numbering 115 students. The school offers a rigorous and multidimensional college-preparatory experience designed to challenge students and provide opportunities for them to reach their full potentials.

"I think one of the things that Linden Hall is trying to do is create students who are well-rounded in all areas, so they can make an impact in communities," said Pula. "I think Key Club and Linden Hall go hand in hand. As much as the community supports Linden Hall, we also want to give back to them."

For additional information, visit http://www.lindenhall.org.