In the fall of 2017, six fifth-graders from DeSales Catholic School in Lockport, New York sat down to go over the Destination Imagination Challenge options and the choice was obvious to them: Service Learning. For the Destination Imagination Service Learning Challenge, students work together in teams to address a real need within a community.
Knowing that their Team Manager, Jackie Kearney, was in need of a kidney transplant, the team, 6 Smarties, chose to raise awareness for living organ and blood donation.
“We wanted to help her by getting the word out about organ donation,” said team member Daniel R. “Everyone needs a chance to live.”
The team partnered with UNYTS, an organization that supports local hospitals with living donations. The team later planned, organized and marketed a blood drive at their elementary school this past February.
The blood drive welcomed 23 donors, including 12 first-time givers. With 19 units of blood collected, their efforts helped to save 57 lives.
The team is also hoping to spread an important message to people around the world.
“Don’t take life for granted,” said team member, Cameron G. “Some people rely on organ and blood donations to live.”
Way to go, team!
Have a Service Learning project you would like to share with us? Email us at [email protected].
