Last school year, the non-profit organization and student organization at Southwest High School, Business for the Youth, had a toy donation drive initiated by the clubs founder, Sam Vahhaji, for Afghan Refugee Children. Many toys were graciously donated to the cause by the Southwest community and the club was able to package these toys and deliver them to the children during the holiday season.

Over the past few years, there have been over 1,300 Afghan refugee kids placed in Minnesota due to the war going on in Afghanistan. Vahhaji has met with some of the families and “instantly felt a connection with them and wanted to make their holidays brighter,” Vahhaji (‘25) said.

The club collaborated with the global non-profit organization Alight, which helps aid refugees from all around the world. The club received almost over 50 donations which amounted to about 150 toys. A few days before winter break, the club met in a classroom at school where they stuffed around 45 stockings. The stockings were then dropped off at the Afghan refugees’ houses over winter break. Many children were delighted to see and receive these gifts and as Vahhaji said “it makes it even more worth it.”

Over the school year the Southwest Business for the Youth Club has done several things to help the community. Vahhaji plans on continuing the club and delightful deeds through the rest of the year as well as next school year. Along with the donation drive for refugees, Vahhaji and the club have also organized the selling of Raising Cane’s chicken at lunch to raise money for charity and a student thrift convention to help students immerse themselves in a business-like activity. More ideas are on the way from Vahhaji and his club to help make the community a better place.
“I’m happy to pay high prices for a good cause,” Aidan Lenthe (‘27) said, a student who purchased chicken at one of the club’s fundraisers.