Youth learn value of team work

People helping people through teamwork, organization and philanthropy doesn’t always come naturally, but local youth are developing these values to help themselves and others in the community.

Organized in December, the Junior Order of Eagles is helping Poplar Bluff area youth between the ages of 8 and 20 learn Eagles traditions, as well as gain a sense of purpose. They are part of Bluff City Eagles 3730, 1400 S. Broadway.

“We want them to understand the importance of being able to help other people and give to people,” Chris VanLear said. “We want them to know the feeling that comes with doing something for somebody and not getting anything in return; having a good feeling of knowing you’ve done something good.”

As the first local J.O.E. president, Braedemn Johnson shared what the group means to him.

“Well, it is a great thing, it has helped me be able to embrace my want to help the community by being able to organize and plan out the events that we have had,” Johnson said. “Even before we started the J.O.E. this year, I have volunteered here for several years with several different events. It is very much so like having a second family between other members and our other organizations.”

Guiding the youth are adult sponsors, VanLear and her husband, Arthur, along with Jennifer Gurley, Natasha Robinson and Pamela Chadwick.

“My husband and I have been Eagle members for a few years,” VanLear said. “The Eagles do a lot helping people and helping different charities across the country. When the older people no longer feel like doing the work, we need to be able to bring those in who are going to take over.

“Plus, you see kids falling to the wayside every day. You see kids who have nobody who mentor them, or really who even cares.”

The sponsors feel strongly about youth who believe they are entitled.

“I see these kids running around saying, ‘Oh, I need a new phone. I need this. I need that,’” VanLear said. “It’s like, what are you doing to be able to deserve this? We want to teach, it’s not always about what you can get. It’s about what you can give as well.”

Projects have included a drive to provide clothes to 97 families, making backpacks for the homeless and fundraising for upcoming projects to serve the community.

Learning about the homeless spurred the youth to make backpacks for those in need.

“We see a lot of homeless people,” she said. “I explained, ‘Don’t be so quick to judge, thinking somebody is homeless because they’re on drugs or alcohol.’ That is not always the case. You do not know what someone’s story is. I pointed out 70% of this country lives paycheck to paycheck.”

The backpacks included shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, first aid kits, socks, gloves, blankets, bedrolls, reusable water bottles and snacks. The women’s backpacks had feminine products.

The bedrolls were made by St. George Catholic Church members in Van Buren.

Plans are to purchase two food trucks in July from the SEMO Area Food Bank in Sikeston. Each truck has enough food to feed 200 families.

“When we were discussing helping people with food, we realized there are two times a year that is really, really hard on families,” VanLear said. “Most kids eat breakfast and lunch at school. When they’re out of school, guess what, that’s an extra 10 meals per week per child a family has to cover. That hurts, especially when you live on a budget.”

Christmas is the other time everybody struggles, so the group is planning to purchase food trucks again in December.

The group expects to do another clothing drive in June and has acquired around 50 more totes and boxes full of clothing to give away.

Every month, the group is doing something to help the community, they shared. The group presently has 20 members.

“The great thing about the club is their parents do not have to be a member of the Eagles,” she said. “Any child in the community who wants to be a part of the group and to help is welcome to join.”

The fees are only $11 a year. Rent One Furniture Store had a shirt made for each member of the first group.

Anyone interested may call 573-707-2024 for an application.