When Alicia VanBuskirk of the Carter County Department of Human Services noticed that some of her clients were having a hard time providing food for their pets, she called on an organization she knows well, Camp Fire USA.
As club leader for her daughter’s Camp Fire USA Horizon Club, she knew how these young people could follow a service learning plan and complete a community service project that would benefit many. The Kids Care Camp Fire group was honored with the “Leader of Tomorrow” Award at the State Annual DHS Volunteer Awards Ceremony on May 1.
After raising money and soliciting donations for high-quality pet food products, the Kids Care Camp Fire Group got together at a biannual area campout at Lake Murray to assemble their gifts. The group of boys and girls prepared approximately 500 pounds of pet food in packages that could be delivered by the Meals on Wheels program drivers to people with pets. Their initial efforts resulted in 40 dogs and cats being fed.
Responses to a brief survey attached to the food packages expressed extreme gratitude for the pet food from the people they served.
The Kids Care Camp Fire USA Club’s next project is to gather old blankets and towels for donation to the local animal shelter to be used as bedding for homeless animals housed at the facility.
Members of the Kids Care Camp Fire Group include Kortney VanBuskirk, Ashley Hunt, Ariel Brinson, Shelby Dodd, Alex Taliaferro and Cody Castleman. Adult leaders are Alicia VanBuskirk and Sharon Hunt.
“Our group loves to help others and this is just one of the community service projects they have completed that shows just how big their hearts are,” the leaders said. “We are so proud of their giving spirit and willingness to work hard on community service projects.”
