Skyline High School’s “Bag & Book” fundraiser to raise awareness about ocean pollution

School is back in session and Skyline High School’s Environmental Science, Ecology, and Green Team is back in action in their dedication to help spread awareness of environmental issues in Warren County. In this WHAT MATTERS video, Kara Lewallen, of Skyline High’s Green Team, explains an initiative to raise funds and spread the word about the dangers of plastic in our ocean waters. This buy one/give one “Bag & Book” fundraiser idea came to fruition from a student’s idea after learning about ocean pollution. According to Lewallen, “In the Environmental Science, Ecology, and Green Team, we are challenged to not only learn about the world around us, but also to take action and help make a positive difference whenever we can. When students have ideas about how we can make a positive difference, they add them to our Action Plan Beaker.”

The goal of this initiative is to sell organic, fair trade, reusable grocery bags along with a children’s book about an aquatic-based animal that has suffered because of our plastic pollution. “For each bag/book combo we sell, we will give a bag/book combo to a kindergartner in Warren County to help spread the word about keeping plastics out of our waterways,” added Lewallen. For $35, you can receive a bag (offered in blue, yellow, or green) and a book (either about a whale, puffin, or sea turtle). These bags and books make a practical gift and a fantastic opportunity to create a foundation of environmental awareness in the heart of the young recipient who will receive one of three colorful bags and one of three educational books.

The group hopes to sell 400 bags, which would enable all area kindergartners to receive a bag and book and all Skyline Environmental Science, Ecology, and Green Team students to realize that we all have a role to play in protecting our environment. How wonderful is it for them to learn that by working together, we each can make a difference. Contact Lewallen at klewallen@wcps.k12.va.us to purchase a bag and book or to find out how you can support her and her colleagues efforts to educate area students about the importance of environmental advocacy. Bags and books can also be purchased at Samuel’s Public Library.

A WHAT MATTERS INITIATIVE

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About WHAT MATTERS:

WHAT MATTERS is a 501(c)(3) that focuses on local and global outreach to help spread the word, support and raise funds for causes that matter (primarily through Facebook). WHAT MATTERS has ZERO overhead as 100% of the expenses are funded by Beth’s real estate business thanks to her clients and supporters.  Every cent raised goes to the cause she’s promoting and most are matched by Beth. If you’d like to get involved, or travel to Africa with her on a future trip to work with the children of Light up Life Foundations, please visit www.whatmattersw2.com.