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Indian Hill High School junior uses student leadership position to help during COVID-19
SADD lunch deliveryWithin Indian Hill High School, junior Amitesh Verma is the president of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) – a school-supported club focused on teen health and safety. Since the COVID-19 crisis, Verma has expanded his student leadership skills to be a positive force for the Council on Aging, a local non-profit organization that provides vital services to help older adults remain safe and independent in their homes, and through supporting medical staff on the front lines of the pandemic. 

Verma, with his club’s support, has been volunteering to collect and deliver essential household supplies to the elderly in need. They have also adopted approximately 20 senior citizens. 

“The Adopt a Senior program has been my most memorable volunteer activity,” said Verma. “Weekly we make phone calls to check on their health and well-being.

“The other initiative I started was to appreciate and recognize healthcare workers at COVID-19 testing tents outside of Jewish, Mercy West, and Mercy Fairfield hospitals. These are drive-through locations where initial viral testing takes place.”

Verma plans weekly lunches for the medical staff who operate out of the tents, and calling local businesses for food discounts and donations.

“So far, the highlight was when Chick-Fil-A at Deerfield Crossing donated 75 chicken sandwiches to support the cause,” said Verma.

To help financially support both causes, Verma established a Go Fund Me page, and SADD has collected approximately $6,000.

“This is one amazing young man, and we are extremely proud of his efforts and the efforts of all of our students to help during this crisis,” said Indian Hill High School Principal Jeff Damadeo. “This is what it means to be Brave.”

Photo caption: Indian Hill High School junior Amitesh Verma has used his student club SADD to help support delivering weekly lunches to essential medial staff during COVID-19.