By Beth Bergeron
Once again, 4 H members in each elementary school are collecting pop top tabs for their community service project and the first full jug has been turned in. All tabs will be donated to our local Ronald McDonald House for recycling.
In the process of collecting these tabs, the students learn the importance of recycling, and are encourage to recycle the entire aluminum can.
They also learn about the mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charities across our nation, especially the important role they play in supporting families with children needing long term care at the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
They also learn about “community” and the importance of giving back to their own community. Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to join 4 H Honor Club where they can participate in a variety of community service projects.
Each elementary school is provided with a recycled water container to hold their pop tabs. The first container full―plus an additional gallon bag―was filled by the students at Sharps Chapel Elementary School, one of our smaller elementary schools. Congratulations and thank you to all the SCES students participating, their 4 H officers and especially to their Community Service chairs, Olivia McCubbins (4th), and Summer Corum (5th) for their encouragement and support.
Running a close second are both Maynardville Elementary School and Big Ridge Elementary School.
This project continues throughout the school year. The students have set goals at each school ranging from collecting 2 to 4 full jugs by the end of the school year.
To conclude this project, 4 H Honor Club will deliver the donation to the Ronald McDonald House. In previous years, the teens have volunteered additional time at the Ronald McDonald House. They choose how best to assist and, on their last visit, chose to cook dinner for the families in residence.
The 4 H Honor Club delivered support and supplies to flood-ravaged Middle Tennessee for one of their projects earlier this year. If you know of a 6th -12th grade student interested in community service, please contact our new 4 H Agent, Olivia Howard, at olivia@utk.edu or call 865-992-8038.
You too, can help our 4th and 5th grade 4 H members meet their school tab collection goals―just drop off your tabs at your nearest elementary school. The 4 H community, parents residing at the Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald House Charities all thank you.