This semester, a new club committed to health equity in the Carlisle community emerged on campus. Helping Heart, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit originating in Pittsburgh, is a student-led organization focused on promoting health equity in several areas across Pennsylvania. With chapters at Lehigh Valley, Penn State, Philadelphia and now Dickinson, this club is working to increase students’ involvement in the health affairs of the Carlisle area, engaging students in efforts to care for the health needs of those who need it most. 

The club had its first organized event on November 16 to assemble medical kits that will be donated to Community CARES, a local homeless shelter supporting individuals and families in need. The event took place in the Rector Atrium, and with the help of student participants, 50 medical kits were successfully packaged within thirty minutes of starting. 

President of the club Zaara Shah ’26 shared her inspiration for starting a chapter at Dickinson and what it could bring for its students and the Carlisle community at large. 

Shah viewed founding the chapter as a way to honor her late uncle Jawad and to establish a lasting presence in the Carlisle community, ensuring that Dickinson students can be involved in health equity projects even after she graduates.

“My uncle passed away over the summer. He was always the type of person to always help others–he even did some free clinics in Pakistan, and I think that just really inspired me.” 

With strong inspiration in her heart, Shah met with volunteer coordinator Sherry Collins who listed several items that they needed as the harsh winter season approached. On this list included items like hand warmers, chapstick, bandaids, gauze, nutrition bars, IV packets and more. Planning for 50 kits to be made, the leadership team of Helping Hearts got together to plan, fundraise and advertise the event on campus. On the day of, more than a dozen students came to help out and the process was very quick and efficient.

Thinking of the future of Helping Heart at Dickinson, Shah has high hopes for the club’s continuation, as the majority of the leadership board is composed of underclassmen. The leadership board includes Shah as President, Vice President Tayyaba Jordan ’26, Treasurer Hemanth Kapa ’27, Secretary Najma Asghari ’28, Zynah Khalil ’29, Shereen Ahmad ’27 and Eva Lamicchhane ’28. “Whatever ideas we come up with, I just hope it continues. Because I think it’s a great cause, and I don’t see why it wouldn’t,” Shah said. 

If anyone is interested in joining, join Helping Heart on EngageD and follow their instagram @helpingheartdickinson!