Three local Carmel elementary students will be awarded $1,000 for a Carmel Green Teen Micro-Grant, a subsidy of the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). The grant will fund a restoration project that includes installation of three butterfly/pollinating gardens and removal of invasive species – over a combined 1,100 square feet of land.
“Native habitat restoration is so important, especially for pollinating species that are in danger of becoming extinct. We focus heavily on achieving native restoration within our parks and we are so proud to work alongside the younger members of our community who share these same goals,” said Rachael Fleck, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation Volunteer Coordinator.
The Head Ninjas, Helping Ninjas student leaders, attend College Wood Elementary and collectively wrote the grant application. The students receiving the CICF award include Siddarth Chavali, 11, Vedh Barre, 9, and Leo Berry, 8.
Helping Ninjas also received a grant in the amount of $780 for a Green Living and From the Garden Initiative, Awareness and Outreach project that will benefit Carmel Clay Schools Community Organic Gardens, Carmel Clay School Green Team Student Clubs and College Wood Elementary.
About Helping Ninjas Inc.
Helping Ninjas, Inc. is a not-for-profit that is student-led and focuses on bringing awareness to the importance of teaching youth ways to help the planet, each other and themselves. Helping Ninjas Inc. was founded by 8-year-old Leo Berry, and was recently incorporated in February 2018. The organization currently has approximately 50 active youth and their family members engaged in its mission to become Highly Skilled At Helping. Helping Ninjas, Inc. has been awarded a U.S. Trademark for both their name and logo that was published in the Official Gazette on May 8. Learn more at helpingninjas.com.