As the leaves change from green to orange, trees become bare, clocks shift backward, and temperatures drop, one thing remains constant: National Honor Society’s fall service drive. This year, however, a change has been implemented in NHS to maximize the service opportunities within the society—the creation of a new position: chair of the service committee.

Senior and chair of service committee Lara Zammit is responsible for organizing the service projects NHS is involved in every year. The officers want to emphasize each pillar of NHS, and they believe that the newly-improved service committee will successfully emulate their commitment to serve.

“NHS is all about service and it’s one of our pillars, so it’s very important that the members live up to that,” said Zammit.

Zammit had the responsibility of choosing the nonprofit for the fall service project, and after a successful Make a Difference Day at Zaman International, she decided that it would be the perfect opportunity for a service drive.

“[Zaman] is a nonprofit that helps women and children who need crisis assistance,” said senior and president of NHS Aliya Hakim. “They have a food pantry, a store for clothes, and people can come in and pick furniture out for their houses, which Zaman actually delivers, too.”

Zaman, which is led by many Mercy alumnae, was just as eager to join a service project with its alma maters.

“Much of what we do at Zaman is inspired by the values and commitment to service that key staff members, board members and volunteers learned as Mercy students and Mercy parents,” said Director of Community Engagement Monica Boomer, ‘03.

The service drive, which lasted over one week, required members to donate at least five articles of clothing from the given categories: infant clothing, shirts, pants, coats, sweaters, and accessories.

“We serve many single moms who raise families of four on under $12,000 per year, which often leaves them without the material comforts that most take for granted,” said Boomer. “Thanks to the generosity of the Mercy community, we will be able to offer them not only clothing, but also hope for the future. Through our client-choice clothing closet, countless families will receive the items that they need in a way that empowers them and respects their dignity.”

Mercy girls exceeded the expectations of NHS and brought in over 600 articles of clothing and filled 15 boxes with bags. Officers hope to establish a service opportunity on the weekends at Zaman or another nonprofit.

“National Honor Society wants to continue to encourage service in and outside of school,” said Zammit. “We are really proud of the service drive turnout, and hope to increase NHS service opportunities.”