The Giving Tree
Kids for a Clean Environment
In 1989, at the age of 9, Melissa Poe knew the importance of taking care of the environment. She wanted to make sure that people knew she cared about keeping the planet clean and healthy, so she started the group Kids F.A.C.E. (Kids for a Clean Environment).
Her group started with just six children. They recycled, picked up litter, planted trees and helped teach other kids how to do the same. Melissa wrote a letter to then President Bush to encourage him to help stop pollution in the United States. Her letter was displayed on 250 billboards across the country.
Soon many kids wanted to be a part of the group, and in 1990 the group was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Kids and teachers could join the organization for free. An 800 number was created for children to call with questions about how they could help.
Kids F.A.C.E. created the largest environmental flag, and it was unveiled at the 25th celebration of Earth Day in Washington, D.C. The flag, which measures 100 feet by 200 feet, symbolizes the concerns young people have about nature and the future of the world.
Now an international children’s environmental organization, Kids F.A.C.E. has more than 300,000 members in more than 2,000 chapters in 15 countries. It is the world’s largest youth environmental organization. Together members have planted more than 1 million trees through programs like Kids’ Yard and 2001: Earth Odyssey. Kids’ Yard program creates backyard wildlife habitats to give animals safe places to live. 2001: Earth Odyssey focuses on habitats, air quality and land management to improve the survival of animals, the health of children and the retention of land and natural resources. Kids can join the 2001: Earth Odyssey program by choosing to recycle products, build habitats for animals, or plant trees to improve air quality.
For more information about Kids F.A.C.E. or to learn how you can help, visit www.kidsface.org.
Know someone under the age of 18 who has started their own charity? If so, let us know!