Lyla Cody, Reporter
@LCodyCourant
On November 9, Service League of Boys (SLOBs) members celebrated the organization’s 20th anniversary by listening to stories of SLOB Alumni.
Currently, SLOBs has more than 300 members at NCHS, according to Johann Wrede, Vice President of communications. That number dramatically exceeds co-founder Janice Luddy’s expectations. “I think we were all hoping that it would be successful, but I don’t think any of us really expected that we would be talking about it now 20 years from then,” she said.
Co-President Brooks Wunderlich said that each member has their own story. “I think there is a stigma that you have to be in this group to join it or not anyone can just join the club, and I think with our numbers growing every year, you see that there are kids of all age groups and interests,” he said.
According to parent Co-President Megan Wunderlich, the number of members in the club provides endless opportunities to expand communications. “I think the other important thing is the opportunities for touch points with people you have never met in any other way,” she said. “For example, we’re here today at Sherwin Island and we’re volunteering Shannon and I and we’ve just met the Colin family that we know from school, but spending a little time with them is such a nice touch point.”
The members of SLOBs form a community. “I came in as a freshman and looked up to a lot of the older senior guys that were in the positions that the kids I know are in now,” Brooks said.
Brooks put a lot of effort into reaching his leadership position. “We do enable rise. You have to be a liaison, work in some volunteer event specifically and also have to contribute volunteer hours across all the fields.”
20 years ago, Ms. Luddy felt her son needed a push to join this organization. “I think sometimes when it comes to philanthropy, people need a little push. It’s good, and you want to do good things, but sometimes it takes a back seat, especially at the high school for boys,” Ms. Luddy said.
The 20-year reunion celebrates tradition, as some charitable events have remained constant. “We looked for charities that would appeal to the boys. An event more engaged in manual labor, for example, the Christmas tree event at Kiwanis Park,” Ms. Luddy said.
SLOBs still participates in the Christmas tree event. “We help with the Christmas trees every November, which is a big one,” Ms. Wunderlich said.
Members emphasize the impact of volunteering and encourage others to help their community. “I’d recommend anyone, even if they don’t want to do SLOBs, to just go out and volunteer,” Johann said.
