Teaming up to make a difference, Environmental Club and Key Club wrote letters to refugee children with newly made recycled paper.

“I hope [the refugees] know that there are people out there that are supporting them even though it may not seem like it,” said junior Jecca Park, Environmental Club treasurer and treasurer-elect of Key Club. 

As one of their first projects of the school year, Environmental Club made recycled paper the week before spring break. According to junior Eszter Chikan, Environmental Club president, there are five steps to make recycled paper: tear up some used paper, soak the pieces in water, blend the soaked paper in a blender, transfer the leftover mush onto a strainer and flip onto a towel to dry. The whole process took about an hour.

Last Wednesday, Environmental Club collaborated with Key Club to utilize the recycled paper in a creative way. In a group of over 10, the two clubs wrote letters to refugee children that will be sent to an organization in Europe and on to places like Syria.

“We needed … a project to use our recycled paper that we made,” Chikan. “Since part of Key Club is … making … crafts to give to people, we thought it would be a good idea to team up with them and make cards.”

In addition to making refugee notes, both clubs used this collaboration project to help boost interest and membership.

“I think [the goal was] just to collaborate,” Park said. “I know that some people do not know … about Key Club or Environmental Club.”

According to Chikan, her favorite part of this event was getting to spend time with friends while “doing something hands on” to help people in need.

“We just hope that [the refugees will] see our gesture,” Chikan said. “Even though they may not be able to … fully understand what we wish to say and even though it may be small, I hope that they can know that we are thinking about them.”

Both clubs hope to join together in the future for other projects, although none are planned at the moment. On Saturday, Environmental Club will kayak on the Kansas River to help remove old batteries from sandbanks.