SEK Wands for Wildlife – Generation Z Volunteering

Four members of the Frontenac High School freshman class have spearheaded a community service project to benefit Wands for Wildlife. With the Pittsburg Lions Club as a sponsor, these students have created SEK Wands for Wildlife.  

Engaging in community service provides students with the opportunity to become active members of their community and has a lasting, positive impact on society at large. Community service or volunteerism enables students to acquire life skills and knowledge as well as provide a service to those who need it most. Participating in community service not only makes a difference to the organization and people being served, but also makes a difference to every student's career prospects. 

Each student is playing to his/her strengths within the roles they have taken on. Hannah Lee is the Organization Chair. Coy Medlin is the Volunteer Manager; Camden McDonald is the Social Media/Marketing Chair; Abe Fredrick is the Communications Chair.  By playing important roles in the project, the students want to enhance their resumes by obtaining work-related skills prior to graduation, build good references for employers in regard to community involvement and provide a forum to network with future potential employers.

The students selected area businesses spread throughout the community to contact about becoming a drop-off location for mascara tubes. This project had the students contact the businesses. By having the students initiate the communication, the hope was to enhance their personal knowledge, grow from new experiences, and develop better interpersonal communication skills. Seven (7) area businesses have offered to become designated sites. Frontenac High School, Raider Express, Labette Bank-Frontenac, Lindburg Pharmacy North, Celebrations by Lori, Attractions Salon, and Ascension Via Christi Hospital.  

All the businesses received a collection box decorated by Hannah and delivered Camden. Weekly pick-up of the wands will be conducted by a Lions Club member. Once there is a substantial amount of wands, the students will schedule a date and coordinate with other students wanting volunteer hours to clean and package the wands to be mailed to the Wands for Wildlife Foundation.

Wands for Wildlife benefits a wildlife rehabilitation nonprofit in Western North Carolina, that recycles old mascara wands to help remove fly eggs and larva from the fur of animals. The wands work great because the bristles are so close together and gentle to use on the injured and orphaned wild animals receiving care.