Way to Go! Student raises funds for elephants in Kenya
Maeve Smith, pictured with Garden City High School Principal Kevin Steingruebner, has been fundraising to support the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. Credit: Garden City School District
A Garden City student with a love of elephants has spearheaded the collection of thousands of dollars to help protect the endangered animals in Africa.
Maeve Smith, a freshman at Garden City High School, has helped to raise about $9,000 during the past seven summers to benefit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which operates an elephant rescue and wildlife rehabilitation program in Kenya.
The funds, which are enough to bring care and safety to upward of 100 elephants, were collected through activities ranging from garage sales to lemonade stands involving members of the Garden City-based Save the Elephants Club. That group was started when Smith learned that poachers have been killing elephants for their ivory tusks to make such items as jewelry and trinkets, she said.
"I really like giving back," Smith, 14, said. "It always feels nice to be able to help other people and animals that aren't as lucky. It makes me feel good that I can help make a difference for the better."
For her volunteer work, Smith was awarded the gold-level President's Volunteer Service Award last year for having accumulated more than 100 hours of community service in a 12-month span.
Smith has also volunteered for North Shore Animal League and is a member of her school's Helping Our Planet Earth Club and cross country, softball and track teams.
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
