The Mounds View branch of H2O for Life began ramping up during their bi-weekly meetings on Friday morning. 

The H2O for Life organization resides not only in Mounds View but all over Minnesota and the United States. “Basically, it’s a club where we raise money, and that money goes to disadvantaged communities that don’t have access to clean water. They reach out through the organization to get funding for clean water,” said senior Sabrina Duden, president of H2O for Life. The club focuses on communities that need access to clean water. The money helps fix the problems for communities without access to free water, like replacing unsafe piping systems. “It’s an organization that’s fairly local but technically national,” says Duden.

The main goal for the club is currently raising money and volunteering, but Duden has more extensive plans for what the club can do next. “We definitely also want to implement more educational causes and colonialism effects and stuff like that. We as a society need to move away from [the idea of] Africa being the only place with water issues,” says Duden. 

H2O for Life’s perspectives separate themselves from other environmental clubs at Mounds View. “There’s a lot of similarities between H2O for Life and Students for Climate Awareness (SFCA). We have a lot of the same views on climate awareness, but SFCA talks more about the direct impacts of climate change while we talk about the direct causes,” said Wren Gill, junior and H2O for Life member. While other clubs may focus on the impacts of climate change, H2O for Life focuses specifically on water, aiming to provide clean water to communities in need.

The club benefits communities, members and leaders involved in H2O for Life. “Yes, it has really helped. Colleges like to see that you’re involved with extracurriculars,” says H2O for Life Vice President Zane Kohn, senior. Being involved in a club that requires volunteer hours also helps seniors and upperclassmen students who are involved with the National Honor Society. All hours of volunteering for H2O for Life count towards the 10 hours needed per semester. 

H2O for Life meets on Fridays before school. They have bi-weekly meetings, keeping the commitment level low compared to other clubs at Mounds View. It has helped many students, including Duden, in their future endeavors. The club has grown exponentially this year with many new members. “It was a small club [that] allowed you to take charge. We are getting our members up, and we would love it if we get lower classmen and juniors to sign up … the president spot is opening up!” says Duden. 

H2O for Life allows students to become more involved with their communities, big or small. H2O for Life continues accepting members throughout the year and would like to have more members at their next meeting. If you would like to know more about H2O for Life, contact Sabrina Duden at [email protected] and other club leaders, Zane Kohn at  [email protected] and Elena Miller at [email protected].