Westby’s Service Club has continued to be a great help to our community. Members have contributed their time and effort into helping our community through service-oriented projects such as gift wrapping and creating cards for Norseland. Club advisor, Ms. Tammy Gilkes continues to leave a mark at Westby through the club’s membership and projects.  She says, “The service club is smaller in number this year which has been a little disappointing but the members have done some great work.” Staff advisor Mr. Ed Pedretti facilitates the meetings that have taken place during the school day. Member, Garrett Vatland (12), says “I think it’s a great club to give back to the community.”

The club has 30 members: 16 seniors, 11 juniors, and 3 freshmen. The club has a membership dominated by upperclassmen, and this spring, over half the members will be graduating. Abby Leis (12) says, “We are always looking for new members especially toward the end of the year since over half of our members are seniors.” An important challenge will be recruiting new members and incorporating underclassmen in the club’s membership.

Important service projects this winter included donating time to the local community. On December 14, 2022, Service Club members helped spread the Christmas cheer by wrapping gifts for the Ward Law office. On December 27, 2022, four members of the club also helped prepare a meal for the Warming Center in La Crosse. People at the Warming Center were delighted with the food. Member Kristal Levendoski (9), who served at the event, shared, “I really enjoyed the experience. It made me feel great to give back to the community.”

Currently, members are working to make Valentines Day cards or signs for each individual at the Norseland nursing home. Members will be meeting in the coming months to continue to keep serving our community!