The National Charity League’s (NCL) Lamorinda chapter recognized 23 students for their participation on March 9 as part of its annual event for graduating seniors and their families and friends at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center.

NCL is a nation-wide organization that encourages mothers and daughters to volunteer in local service projects. The program offers a variety of events in which mothers and daughters can partake,  such as Bay Area Rescue Mission, the Taylor Family Foundation, the Haley Run for a Reason, the Contra Costa Food Bank, and Tri-Valley Animal Rescue.

Campolindo students work with the Lamorinda chapter, which is one of the over 200 chapters nationally; the organization welcomes girls in grades 7-12.

Junior Paige Danforth, who was selected to lead the Lamorinda chapter, said she enjoys NCL because it enables her to work for “a good cause.” She described NCL as a group of “girls from the same community getting together and doing good.”

Junior Christina Crum said the organization has strengthened her relationship with both her mother and her community. “[In NCL] you learn to appreciate more what you have and how lucky we are to live in such a nice community,” she said.

At the ceremony, seniors spoke about their experiences with NCL and how the service opportunities prepared them for their futures.

“My mom and I wanted to be part of an organization that we could work together and benefit the outskirts of our community,” said senior Izzy Artiaga. “At the Food Bank, we organized all the canned foods donated. For Haley’s Run for A Reason we were officiators and made sure people ran in the right direction. At Tri-Valley Animal Rescue we cleaned the cages. At the children’s hospital, we made blankets and donated baked goods for the families in the waiting rooms.”

According to Artiaga, girls are also subjected to etiquette tests, teas, and debutante activities like learning to write response cards or keeping written correspondence.

“[NCL] is a good set time we [my mom and I] have to catch up on stuff and allows us to reflect on our lives and how lucky we are,” said Artiaga.  She added that the program has taught her to be “more humble.”