Neighbor News
Anderson Family Gives Back, Making it a Cleaner, Greener World
The Andersons supports community service and an environmentally-conscious lifestyle as volunteers with The Honeycomb Project
Sarah and Nick of Lincoln Square Anderson have always prioritized community service as well as leading an environmentally-conscious lifestyle, so in 2014 when they learned about The Honeycomb Project and its conservation-focused family volunteer opportunities, they registered to help clean up a nature preserve.
The couple and their now 10-year-old daughter Olivia joined other families at Ted Lechowicz Woods in Chicago to harvest seeds of native plants, mulch and rebuild trails, and remove invasive species. Shortly after the experience, the Andersons trained to become project leaders of the nature preserve activity. Every month for the past seven years, the Andersons have helped guide families and teach them about protecting native habitats.
“It’s exciting to see kids working alongside their parents and having fun while they make a positive impact on their surroundings,” says Sarah. “As a professional environmental educator, I appreciate having this opportunity to empower others to personally connect to nature.”
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In addition to leading the nature preserve project, the Andersons regularly volunteer to make cards for veterans, sort and pack everyday essentials for new moms, sew quilts for pediatric patients, and make beds and toys for animals in shelters.
Sarah and Nick have instilled in Olivia a sense of responsibility to protect the environment. They make it a habit to recycle, compost, limit food waste, conserve energy, and often use public transportation.
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They are participating in The Honeycomb Project’s Green Bee Challenge – a friendly competition held throughout April that mobilizes families to incorporate green practices into their daily lives. Together they are exploring concepts such as sustainability, carbon footprints, and waste reduction.
To learn more about The Honeycomb Project's year-round environmental volunteer opportunities and to register for The Green Bee Challenge (it is not too late), visit Honeycomb’s website.
The Anderson’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and dedication are an inspiration, reminding us that each of us can effect positive change in our communities.