Teens go green
By TARA MARTIN
The Cherry Hill Sun
4/25/2008

Cherry Hill Mall Style Squad looking for plastic bags to help a non-profit assisting people living in war-torn Darfur

Day after day, shoppers walk out of malls with plastic bags, paper bags and tons of stuffing, but now an admirable group of teens at the Cherry Hill Mall is turning the tables and asking shoppers to bring bags to them.

In an effort to “Go Green,” the Cherry Hill Mall and its Style Squad are asking shoppers to bring at least 30 plastic bags to the Mall Customer Service Center or Aveda, and make a $2 donation during the month of April.

The proceeds will go to the Clean Ocean Action and the bags will be donated to STAND, a non-profit organization that will sell the bags to buy necessities for people living in Darfur, Sudan.

Donators will receive a stylish reusable tote bag in return. The eco-friendly, reusable bags are also available for a $5 donation if shoppers don’t have plastic bags to exchange. One reusable bag will eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime, according to mall officials.

The Style Squad, made up of about 60 teens, meets monthly to plan activities and promote the mall. Some activities that they have participated in this year are preparing for Santa’s visit, serving as a welcome wagon for the new Crate and Barrel store, handing out snacks to shoppers on Black Friday, and participating in fashion shows during the year.

Squad member and Camden Catholic High School senior Jennifer Kelley is particularly excited about their spring project.

In an essay, Kelley said, “In honor of Earth Month, and as members of the Style Squad, we are challenging ourselves by recording ‘green acts’ we perform in hopes of showing everyone, especially teens, how easy and fun ‘going green’ can be.”

So far, this GREEN TEEN has switched from a brown paper bag to a reusable lunchbox, she now uses a reusable water bottle rather than the disposable ones, has started buying organic and locally produced food, donated old clothes to charity, begun recycling both inside and outside of the house, and many other efforts.

“All my life, my dad has been very eco-friendly. He even went to the first Earth Day celebration! Therefore, when I heard Style Squad wanted us to help others go green, I was extremely excited,” Kelley said. “I truly have a passion for nature and conserving it for future generations.”

Earlier in the month, the Style Squad hosted a fashion show at the mall to showcase “green” fashions. These outfits are on display in the Macy’s court for shoppers’ viewing pleasure and inspiration.

Kelley, who will be attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City next year as a fashion merchandising major, has also started a local charity drive at her school.

She has developed a Prom Dress Drive to help underprivileged girls have a magical night of their own. The “vintage” dresses will be recycled and repurposed when a girl can buy them for $5.

“It is extremely rewarding to know that at age 18, I am already helping Mother Nature and can spread the ideas to my peers,” Kelley said.

“I feel that it makes me appreciate the world around me, and realize how limited our resources are getting. We all know how much the earth gives to us, (food, water, shelter, etc.) and it feels good to know that I am giving back and helping it to continue to help us.”

Kelley advises people to start out with small acts of recycling, such as using one less napkin per day, and build from there. With the youth of today thinking in these terms, there seems to be hope for our future. Kelley quotes Kermit the Frog in saying, “And green can be cool and friendly-like ... I am green and it’ll do fine, it’s beautiful! And I think it’s what I want to be.”

If you are a fashionable teen interested in joining the Style Squad, call the Cherry Hill Mall at 662-7440 for information.