Small Grant with Big Impact: Kids Care Recycling
Mary Sokacz, teacher at Capac Middle School, requested a grant for the Student Council to initiate a school-wide recycling program. Seventh grade student, Caleb Gerschick, noticed the overflowing garbage cans in the school cafeteria and realized the need for a recycling program. He talked to Ms. Sokacz who submitted a grant application to Four County Community Foundation.
FCCF encouraged Sokacz to purchase the recycling containers locally, which created a little more work and shopping research for the project. More than half of the equipment was bought at a comparable price locally to help support our community's economy.
The program collects paper, glass and plastic. Signage was posted to announce the recycling bin locations. The response was impressive. Once the bins are full, parent volunteers take the bags of recycling to the St. Clair County recycling site.
The project has gained a lot of support and attention. St. Clair RESA media students produced an audio tape about the Kids Care Recycling project for its radio broadcast. The Dateline School show will air the interview in early February.
Sokacz intends to continue the recycling initiative throughout the school district, setting a model for students and the Capac community.
