South Tahoe High Rotary Interact Club makes donation to Lake Tahoe Wildlife

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Rotary Interact Club at South Tahoe High recently donated $800 to the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.

Co-Presidents Dean Kallas and Serena Palaroan sent the check and a letter to the nonprofit tasked with providing temporary care for wildlife, with an explanation of the student-run club and the funds.

"Due to the unfortunate circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic school has been closed for the year. We are unable to complete our fundraising that was planned before we graduate in June. It is our mission, as Rotary Interact Club Presidents, to provide one final donation to help our local community during these times of financial hardships," they wrote.

The Rotary-sponsored club is for high school students around the globe and has been at South Tahoe High since 2015. The local club is sponsored by the Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe. Students spend the year helping others, developing leadership skills, learn how to become involved in their school and community, and work on both local and international projects.

"Rotary Interact has The Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care’s mission at heart and we hope this donation will help alleviate some stress during this time," the letter went on to say.

"Despite the pandemic the world is facing right now, Tahoe’s wildlife is very important and significant to us. It is important for our basin to protect our wildlife especially as a tourist town and our struggle against climate change, human disruption, and pollution. We know wildlife is crucial to ecosystems, food chains, and just our beautiful home in general," said Palaroan and Kallas.