WOOD RIVER JCT. - Every school would benefit from a staff member who invested as much time and energy in her community as Chariho High School librarian Mary Moen.

As co-advisor of the Interact Club at the high school, she finds ways to constantly give back to the community and enables her students to do the same.

Moen and the Interact Club dedicate their time to community service projects that benefit students at Chariho High School, as well as people in the community. They also try to plan an annual project that helps those in need internationally.

Fall projects include a Halloween raffle, with proceeds going to an emergency family fund. This fall the fund will benefit the family of a sophomore at the high school whose home burned down this past summer. It is just one of several fundraisers that have been planned to aid the student's family.

Through the Interact Club, Moen always finds ways to help those in need.

"One thing I find meaningful is to see the kids take over and get excited about it. I mean, it's really about them and what they want to do. I just sort of guide them. The kids really run it. I love working with them.

They're great. They all have big hearts and are hard working. They're enthusiastic and that's what means a lot to me."

Moen is excited about other upcoming projects, including the annual Floor Hockey for Heat tournament, which benefits the South County Heating Assistant Program.

Another project, the Carnation Sale for Gingerbread Express, supports the Gingerbread Express, a district wide program that identifies those in need during the holidays, fulfilling wish lists for the families and their children.

Growing up in northern Vermont, the daughter of two resort-owning parents, Moen found herself always contributing.

"I was expected to help out, pick up trash around the place, waitress when I had to...I never really thought of it as community service, but I grew up with a 'you pitch in when people need help' kind of attitude."

This attitude proved repeatedly to be an asset to others. When Moen's children entered elementary school, she utilized her art history major by running an art appreciation program at their school, as well as the school-wide art fair.

Starting at Chariho seven years ago, Moen searched for a way to get to know the students and become involved.

The perfect opportunity arose when then Arcadia YMCA branch manager Tim Babcock presented her with the idea of starting an Interact Club. As co-founder, Moen found the outlet that she was looking for; helping create what is now one of the most active Interact Clubs in New England.

She currently leads the Interact Club alongside Ed Smith from Chariho Furniture and Scott Mcleod, the current Arcadia YMCA branch manager. Moen resides in Warwick with her husband and has four children.

She looks forward to an upcoming canned food drive that will involve the entire district. Deb Nigrelli, director of the Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need, will speak at Chariho High School on Oct. 28 to discuss the need for food and kick off the drive.