Wilmington Kids Work To Save Endangered Animals One Bracelet At A Time
WILMINGTON (CBS) - They're just kids, but they're working together on a big goal to save endangered animals, one bracelet at a time. They're colorful and fun, handmade beads constructed from small scraps of paper and transformed into beautiful jewelry, all for sale.
"We kind of try to get the point across that recycling is what everyone should be doing," says 12-year-old Adele Burton, who started "The Green Group" at her Wilmington home. It's grown to about a dozen kids with the same interests, friendship and fun. "Then it turned into much more than just getting together on Sundays and having fun. It turned into, what more can we do to make the world better," says Adele.
The kids decided they wanted to save animals. They started by making holiday gifts out of recycled plastic containers and selling homegrown basil plants. Then came the bracelet idea. The money goes to the World Wildlife Fund to make symbolic animal adoptions. They've adopted 12 so far at $25 each. "Our goal is to get all hundred that they offer to be adopted because those are all the endangered animals," says Adele. "I think it's important because it can help the earth," says Shelby Maston, a member of the group. They sell the bracelets for $8. "The teachers at my school are enjoying them, and they'll tell their friends and then they'll ask for more and they're good gifts and it's been pretty successful so far," says Adele.
Because of the bracelet sale, the group now has enough money for 12 more animal adoptions. "I hope that people actually realize that small efforts can make a big difference," says Courtney Schuler. "We're doing this to save the earth, to have a good environment to live in," adds Evie Burton. "Every animal we adopt saves an animal and the more animals we'll have and just a better world!" says Adele.
If you'd like to help the kids by buying a bracelet you can get in touch with them at: GreenGroupWilmington@gmail.com
If you know people who are working to make a difference in their communities, let Ken Tucci know about it. Maybe we'll do a story about them: krtucci@wbztv.com
