In building partnerships and engaging environmental leaders to effect change, Planet Aid celebrated with Newtown Middle School (NMS) as the latter placed third in the prestigious Albert M. Greenfield UNLESS Contest on May 5, 2022 in Philadelphia.
"The work of the NMS Environmental Action Club is a testament that realizing a sustainable world rests on each of us," Eric Newman, Planet Aid Director of School and Community Program said. He emphasized that the club's project can inspire more people to lead projects on environmental action.
Beginning in 2022, Planet Aid has been working with schools to elevate the role of the youth by opening platforms of engagement that harness the power of community service to protect people and planet.
As an entry to the UNLESS Contest, NMS organized a donation drive that resulted in the collection of 1,720 pounds of clothing and shoes, which Planet Aid received.
Melissa Metzler, NMS teacher and lead of the NMS Environmental Club, emphasized the value of partnership in multiplying gains.
"We believe in taking care of each other," she said, explaining that the club instills the practice of environmental protection to build the confidence, motivation, and abilities of students as agents of change."
She added that in working with organizations like Planet Aid,
"we hope to mobilize more students to recycle and preserve resources because the foundation of our future rests on how we treat the environment today."
Fresh off their success in Philadelphia, members of the NMS Environmental Action Club will launch the One Drop of Water podcast on Apple and Spotify. The weekly series will spotlight best practices and experiences in water conservation to broaden public awareness and mobilize more community initiatives.