Unfortunately, I have bad news, and I will break it to you as gently as I can. If you heard talk around town about the highly sought-after, extremely-coveted, bright-blueCarmel Middle School Cougar wristbands as being sold out, the rumor is absolutely true. Although bad news for you (I got mine), it is great news for big cats. You see, the students, teachers and supportive parents of the CMS Green Team Club decided Cougars Helping Cougars could raise money for the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. They sold every Cougar wristband on the planet, and now they have cash to help a worthy cause.
The CMS Green Team Club has been working in our community during the last three years helping to reduce human impact on the environment. Green Team member Brooke Healy said, “People were willing to recycle, which meant discarded materials are being reused. That is good.” She is talking about a major effort by the club to encourage recycling at all CMS sporting events, lunch rooms and meetings. SithaVallabhaneni piped up, “That sparked my family’s interest to recycle at home, too.”
Twelve dedicated students make up the Green Team. Vicky Walsh is the teacher responsible for the club this year, and she supervised the wristband fundraising project, Cougars Helping Cougars. Katie Crom and Selena Fan gave me the details about the project, which frankly, was only halfway to success just two weeks ago. They explained each wristband was $1, and the proceeds would benefit a worthy organization first pitched to the club by parent supporter Jeannie Nixon. She encouraged the students to research the nonprofit out of Center Point, Ind., which gives rescued animals a home for the rest of their lives. Ally and Emily Fleckenstein wanted to make sure I knew you could benefit a cause and receive something in return.
Megan Singer’s classmates purchased 500 Cougar wristbands. Lilly St. Angelo agreed with Singer and pointed out other schools could duplicate the project. St. Angelo’s mom, Mary Ellen, is a driving force for the club, serving as a parent volunteer and treat provider.
Natalie Duerksen summed it up and said, “Really cool that kids care about the environment and it makes you want to be a part of it.” Marie Hamilton nodded her head signaling she couldn’t agree more.