Operation: Military Kids Program Assembles Recycling Bins

In Orlando, at an Army Reserves Yellow Ribbon Program, 25 kids between the ages of 7 - 16 participated in the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project. Yellow Ribbon programs are events where military soldiers, that are about to be sent to Iraq or Afganistan, get together to gather information related to them, and their children get information and are able to take part in a variety of programs designed for them. Through the 4-H Operation: Military Kids Program, I was able to use this event as an opportunity to these youth involved in a service project. OMK has a Mobile Tech Lab with 10 laptops and a wireless card. I pulled up the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" video on YouTube showing the how fishing line hurts marine wildlife. The kids all watched the video and afterwards we talked about how they felt after seeing all those animals harmed and what we could do to change that. Some brainstormed educating fisherman and some said passing out bags that they can put their fishing line in. I then introduced the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" bin assembly guide video on YouTube, right after we briefed. As they watched the video I asked them if this was something they wanted to do and made a prediction on how many bins we could construct. We ended up putting together 112 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins! The kids also asked if they could take some bins home for their dads and neighbors because they fish. The rest of the completed recycling bins were given to the Clay County Marine Life Club, who go boating throughout Clay and Duval Counties. Club members plan to distribute them as they go out and educate boaters and anglers about the importance of recycling used fishing line!

Submitted by:
December James
4-H Operation: Military Kids
Youth Program Specialist
operationmilitarykids.org

A special thanks to those involved in the OMK program for supporting the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project and our work to protect marine life! Check out the photos below from this event:

Sarasota County 4-H Members Assemble Fishing Line Recycling Bins

4-H members representign a variety of clubs throughout Sarasota County came together recently to assemble personal-sized fishing line recycling bins as part of the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project. The work of the members involved was filmed for the "Inside County 4-H" TV show which will air on Access Sarasota. The completed bins will be passed out to anglers and given to our partner organizations as we work to involve additional groups and partners in this program. Thanks to everyone who helped with this effort!

Leon County 4-H Members Distribute Fishing Line Recycling Bins

The Leon County Arrowheads 4-H Club distributed some of the 100 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins they assembled as part of the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project at two educational outreach programs they initiated at Lake Ella in Tallahassee, FL and at a meeting of the Florida State University Fishing Club. Check out the pictures of this group at work as they spread the word about the importance of recycling fishing line and empower anglers with the tools they need to properly dispose of their used fishing line! A special thanks to the Leon County 4-H members who are helping make this project a success!

FSU Fishing Club Meeting

Recycling Bin Distribution and Outreach at Lake Ella