Once again, 4-H members in each elementary school are collecting pop top tabs for their community service project and the first full jugs have 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 encouraged 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 it plays 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. Our older 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. 4-H was pleasantly surprised at both the MES and SCES October meetings, as each school turned in a full jug. Then, at the November meeting, MES turned in an additional two full jugs! We are so excited about the great job the schools are doing this year and would like to thank all the students, teachers and staff that have contributed, as well as the 4-H officers, and especially the community service officers at these schools. Our Sharps Chapel community service officers are Reighlan Helton (5th) and Savannah Russell (4th). At Maynardville Elementary, our 5th grade community service officers are: Makinzee Eubanks, Chloe Harvey and Vince Jolly, and the 4th grade community service officers are: Tori Rose Catu, Presley Lay and Jaxson Noland. This project continues throughout 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. This year, some of our elementary school 4-H officers are looking forward to joining them when the Honor Club makes its annual delivery.
Our 4-H Honor Club has already delivered support and supplies to flood-ravaged Kentucky as one of their projects this year. If you know of a 6th-12th grade student interested in community service, please contact our 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.