ONE
Yesterday was a very important day probably not only for myself, my friends, but also the citizens of Pleasanton,CA. Someday this importance can hopefully extend to the Greater Bay Area.
Essentially, the City of Pleasanton, and it's City Council (who were all reinstated of their positions after the November 4th elections) agreed to support the small club that we have built at Foothill High School, called ONE Club. ONE Club acts as a smaller chapter of the ONE Organization, in attempting to eradicate poverty to a somewhat extensive degree.
With the cities backing behind us now, the club in my mind has truly become successful. Yesterday we distanced ourselves from the other fifty or so odd clubs that can be found on Foothill's campus. Many clubs have overlapping ideas and thoughts, and others work towards something alltogether different.
Yesterday, the club was still a place where my fellow peers and I discussed ideas on what we could do. Tomorrow, is a day when we can do it.
My first idea/concept in motion will bring the club and the city's local businesses both in downtown Pleasanton, and the mall together. I plan to kickoff an idea with the owners of Stoneridge Mall (Simon Malls) and the Pleasanton Downtown Business Owner's Association to host small coinboxes by the register, so as shoppers pass by, the change they deem unnecessary may be dropped in this box. With this idea, the club begins generating a substantial increase in revenue, through which we can donate to local organizations that serve the poor, and homeless.
One such organization would be Open Heart Kitchen. With the current economic downturn, the kitchen is facing a bleak 2009, where they will be put out of operation due to poor donations from citizens. With the small money we raise, even a few hundred dollars can put food on the table for many individuals. So far ONE Club has only tied up with Open Heart Kitchen in doing community service by providing volunteers to serve the good and so on. With the additional funding, we can really change the way we operate, and get things done. This is the future for the club as I envision, and how does the city's stamp of approval play into all this?
In my mind, I believe we have become a legitimate organization now, that can properly walk around and show that we have recognition. Previously, we were groups of high schoolers with no backing that could not possibly not convince anyone what we are about trying to do, for we had no proof or examples. With the city's backing I think we no longer match that description.
Truly significant moment for me and my friends, but it is only the beginning of many more great things to come.
Also my first blog post to have some HTML editing in it, rather than theWYSIWYG
