While paper bags and ribbons may not always seem the most interesting, the National Mothers and Daughters Charity League (NCL) used them to make Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach an enjoyable spot for kids and parents alike.

“It was one of my first ever volunteer jobs,” freshman Kenzie Kish said. “We set up a table with markers and ribbons and had kids make little jellyfish. I know I loved the aquarium as a kid, but sometimes other little kids don’t find it as interesting. So if they find something that they enjoy, then they will pay more attention to the actual meaning behind the aquarium.”

For Kish, helping organizations in her community has always been her passion, either through donating money or volunteering at different establishments. So when an opportunity came up for her to join the NCL, she immediately took it.

“I joined in seventh grade, which is the first year that you can join the program. It runs through senior year of high school, so I’m about halfway through volunteering, and it’s such a rewarding experience,” Kish said.

The NCL is a philanthropic organization of mothers and daughters that annually provides close to three million hours of community service to 6,000 charities in the United States. Members such as Kish spend about 50-100 hours a year volunteering at different organizations around the South Bay, and many more meetings with other NCL members to discuss various philanthropy projects.

“There are a lot of different positions within the NCL, and we all work together to help the community,” Kish said. “I remember being called one day by my friend who’s in the NCL, and she said, ‘I’m at a meeting with all the VPs and we decided that you would be the best for the VP of Communications next year.’ And I was like, sure, why not.”

Once she steps into her role as Vice President, Kish will be in charge of communicating all important meetings, dates, and locations to the members of the NCL, as well as sending out announcements in collaboration with the mothers who also function within the group. Other positions within the NCL include being responsible for digital media, a position that belongs to freshman Kayla Bullen.

“This year, I’m the NCL’s digital media person, so at all of our meetings I take photos and send them to our social media chair to be posted online,” Bullen said. “But my first year I was in charge of telling everyone etiquette tips during our meetings, like how to be polite and greet people nicely.”

Bullen’s introduction to the NCL began after leaving Girl Scouts when she and her mom decided to continue volunteering around the community. After Bullen’s friend suggested the NCL to them, they both applied to the program right away.

“In order to get into the program, you have to be recommended by a member. There’s still an application process, but in order to have a higher chance of joining, you need to be recommended by someone who’s in the NCL,” Bullen said.

Bullen has done many volunteering jobs with the NCL, all of which add to her community service hours.

“My favorite place I like to volunteer at is a place called Sunrise Senior Living. I play games with the senior citizens, like bingo, and they taught me how to play blackjack,” Bullen said. “I help them with parties and deliver the residents’ favorite snacks, so I’ve formed a lot of fun friendships with the people there.”

Members like Bullen and Kish have the opportunity to volunteer at numerous organizations around the South Bay, with AYSO EPIC, the Lovejoy Foundation, and the American Heart Association being a few. With the NCL supporting over 25 non-profits in the local community, each member can help out at a multitude of different workplaces.

“The organization as a whole is focused on giving back to the community and uniting mothers and daughters through philanthropic work,” Kish said. “It’s also a great way to develop leadership skills.”

Currently, the members of the NCL are focused on moving forward and expanding their organization.

“I’m hoping it’s going to get a lot bigger and reach a lot of people, because not many people know about the NCL at the moment,” Bullen said. “But overall, I just want to make more connections and get more life experience. With volunteering you make a lot of good relationships, and it just feels nice helping people.”