Operation Fly Inc. hosted their First Annual Walk-A-Thon last Saturday and is preparing their Annual Community Gala slated for June 15 in an attempt to combat the growing issue of poverty.

This non-profit organization is entirely student-led and works to give assistance to the less fortunate while promoting valuable leadership characteristics in students. Their mission is “to pass out food among the homeless, to coordinate events, and to provide for the general welfare of the inner-city economically underprivileged.”

The group was founded in 2007 after years of hard work and dedication by Wootton High School sophomores Timothy Hwang and Minsoo Han.

“The process was very long and took an immense amount of work” Hwang said. “But despite everything it was exciting… because we knew it would impact and better so many lives. Minsoo and I really hoped to empower this generation to become the ‘movers and shakers’ of society.”

There are 43 students from schools across Montgomery County who run every aspect of the fully functioning non-profit organization. In order to participate, students must complete a rigorous application process.

“Operation Fly Inc. is slowly working to change the world,” Hwang said. “This organization has the potential to become one of the most powerful voices for our generation, and it certainly does need help from everyone.”

Donations for the homeless and outreach programs are among the many efforts made by members to raise help for those in need.

“It allows students to be truly exposed to a side of society that they may have never seen,” Hwang said. “Montgomery County…is a highly sheltered place, and many times we need to wake up and step out of our comfort zone to help those in need.”

There is heavy participation among students from Wootton, Churchill, Blair and Richard Montgomery High Schools, but very few members from QOHS. Applications are due Saturday and Hwang believes that people should get involved because “participation in an organization such as Operation Fly Inc. will allow students the chance to develop leadership skills that would not normally be developed in a ‘sheltered’ setting such as school.”

Information about becoming a member or participating in any of the various activities in order to benefit those less fortunite, can be found on the group’s website, www.operationfly.org.