Operation Smile
DESCRIPTION: Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Bishop Drumm Student Guild, ChildServe, and Ronald McDonald House.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Attendance at weekly meetings and participation in activities.
FEE: None.
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Peer Helpers/Tutors
DESCRIPTION: Assist throughout the school and community. They are trained in listening skills, communication, problem-solving, decision-making and how to recognize and direct potential problems to those who are qualified to help. They provide tutoring at several elementary schools and at DCHS. Grades 10-12.
ACTIVITIES: Trained Peer Helpers are used in one-to-one helping relationships, conflict resolution, group leadership, mentoring, tutoring, service, and drug/alcohol prevention programs.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: All Peer Helpers are trained in the summer. Students may apply in the spring to become a Peer Helper for the following year.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Jan Brubaker
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People-to-People
DESCRIPTION: An international organization that develops leadership, cultural awareness and peace. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Fund raising for local and international causes, monthly meetings that include programs with guest speakers, socials, and project work time. Work with other service groups on large projects.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Active participation.
FEE: $ 5
MODERATOR: Diane Thierer
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Quest
DESCRIPTION: A weekend spiritual retreat for freshmen or sophomores, takes place at St. Thomas More Center. This retreat helps explore the question Jesus asks "Who do you say that I am?"
ACTIVITIES: Explore Christ’s presence in students’ lives through prayer, reflections, and games.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Sophomores.
FEE: $70
MODERATOR: Christy Sheaff
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Service Trips
DESCRIPTION: Service trips are offered to students at Dowling Catholic based upon their interest and availability to students. Opportunities are offered during spring break, the summer, and the school year. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Activities are dependent upon the type of service trip. All service trips include an emphasis on prayer, developing an awareness and a respect of another culture, simplification of lifestyle, developing a community, and providing service to one another and the people DCHS students encounter.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: 9-12 grades students may apply.
FEE: Student will incur the cost of the trip.
MODERATOR: Christy Sheaff
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Special Olympics
DESCRIPTION: Help coach and interact with special needs children participating in athletic events in March through May. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Help coach at Special Olympics practice and events.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Volunteer coaches are required to attend a two-hour clinic to work with athletes.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Sharon Abler
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Students for Life
DESCRIPTION: Students for Life is an organization promoting the Catholic Church's teaching on the consistent ethic of respecting all human life from conception to natural death.
ACTIVITIES: Promote goal by raising awareness of issues. Activities include Life Chain, Iowa Right to Life book sale, March for Life in Washington D.C., Skate for Life and many more.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: None.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Janet Regier
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Terra Livre
DESCRIPTION: Terra Livre is an organization of students whose mission is to help support the disadvantaged of God’s kingdom locally and globally.
ACTIVITIES: Locally the group works with the staff at The House of Mercy in supporting and encouraging the mothers and children that live there. Globally, students who belong to Terra Livre have the opportunity to participate in a yearly mission trip to Goiania, Brazil which takes place over spring break. While in Brazil, students help and support the original Terra Livre organization in serving the poor of the area.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Open to all.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Christy Sheaff
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VIP (Volunteer Initiative Program)
DESCRIPTION: A service club which gives students an opportunity to put their Christianity into action. All activities are focused on enhancing the vision that cherishes the uniqueness and potential of each human being. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Activities include Combat Hunger Project, Iowa Special Olympics, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Salvation Army Breakfast.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Attend a weekly meeting and continuous volunteer activities. A service commitment pledge is signed by each member.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Sharon Abler
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4-H Club
DESCRIPTION: 4-H stands for head, heart, hands and health and is composed of a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
ACTIVITIES: Weekly meetings, service projects, Dallas County Fair and Iowa State Fair.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Grades 9-12.
FEE: $25
MODERATOR: Erin McMullen