NEW MARKET — The Crawfordsville Interact Club with its 40 members from all three county schools is the largest of its kind in the district.
Members gathered Wednesday to showcase their work. The club invited many local officials and business owners to the annual luncheon at Southmont High School.
Interact Club co-president and senior Luke Tesmer shared that the group’s fundraising efforts, which totaled $1,200, allowed them to provide a Christmas party for children in Haiti.
“That project is something the Southmont club has been doing for quite some time,” Tesmer said. “It’s been something we’ve been doing even before I got here four years ago, so since that time we’ve just really tried to expand on it. We just try to help them up the best we can with these fundraisers every year.”
Some of the attendees at the event were Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton, Montgomery County Administrator Tom Klein, former State Sen. Phil Boots, Montgomery County Commissioner John Frey and Tri-County Bank president and CEO Chuck Dixon.
Guest speaker was North Montgomery graduate and Central Indiana Rotary District President Jennifer Stansfield.
Another highlight of the event was Hoosier Heartland State Bank president and CEO Brad Monts was awarded a plaque by the organization for his contributions and continued support of the club.
“Everything that this group does is about giving back,” Monts said. “That’s what we try to focus on at HHSB as well. To see these 40 kids who are the next generation of our society want to give back, that’s very inspirational to me because of all the different projects they’re involved with. I’m very proud of Southmont for what they’ve been able to bring all these kids together to form this wonderful organization.”
Tesmer shared his and the group’s appreciation for those in attendance and those who have continued to offer support.
“I know that all of our officers are thankful for everyone who showed up today,” he said. “It’s really encouraging to see that people in the community are taking a vested interest in what we’re trying to do. It gives all of us a sense of encouragement to do more fundraisers in the future and will just continue to drive us to more for this club and the people who need help.”
Monts extended his and the bank’s gratitude for the award he and HHSB received. It shows that the organization doesn’t take the support they receive from the community for granted and that along with giving back to people who need their help, they also are willing to give back to those who supported them every step of the way.
“Sometimes you don’t see that with some organizations, but not with this one,” Monts said. “Just to be acknowledged today with this plaque means a lot to me.”
For more information about the Interact Club, visit www.shs.southmontschools.org.
To learn more about the Crawfordsville Rotary, visit www.crawfordsvillerotary.org.
