Mission: Straws

Yesterday, we continued to accomplish our journey by convincing more companies to stop using plastic straws and other plastics.

We started by going to the local Kroger, and. we talked with the manager and he agreed to hang flyers in the employee break room! He also said said he will hang our signs for customers bring reusable bags instead of using plastic bags or choose paper.

Next, we went to the local Starbucks. We got them to hang signs that tell people to use reusable coffee cups and they had these cool new cups that have a sip cup side that you can use without a straw! And, one little ninja used one of them to drink his water!

We found out about an hour later that Starbuck announced they were going to get rid of straws completely in 2020! AWESOME! An organization that inspired us, Lonely Whale played a huge role in Starbucks making this decision to ditch the straws! And then Seattle, announced to ban plastic straws city-wide! This do this amazing and we are hoping to inspire Indianapolis!

We then went to Cosbos, we spoke with the manager and he said he would ask his boss if they could switch from plastic straws to Bio-degradable straws instead. Actually, an hour after we left here, we heard on the news that Starbucks announced they would end plastic straw use by 2020.

Next, we went to Subway, the manager agreed to ask if they could switch their straws from plastic to biodegradable; he also agreed to not handing out straws unless asked to. We went to Pizza Hut after, Pizza Hut is one of the harder ones to tackle. We asked and the manager said he would ask the Corporate office if they could switch.

We then went to Muldoons, they actually already switched from plastic to Bio-degradable; so they agreed to hang are flyers! They had just opened the box that day! We were so exited to learn they are leaders in the city and helping the environment! Wait to go Mudloons!

Thank you Mudoons of Carmel!

We then went to Sccoty’s Brewhouse, they also agreed to look into it a couple of days ago. So, we delivered flyers to them.

Then we went to Main Street Poke, We found out that they switched their straws a while back; and they also agreed to hang our signs. We were so excited to learn that they are ALREADY using COMPOSTABLE Straws! And, the hung our sign! Thank you Main Street Poke!

We then went to Vitality. They agreed to switching too, and they put there plastic straws OUT OF SIGHT! He was going to look into ordering compostable straws that afternoon! And he was going to hang our signs! WAIT TO GO VITALITY BOWLS

Celebrating the floss at Vitality Bowls, whom agreed to ditch the plastic straws and immediately look into purchasing of eco-friednlly as well as only give to patrons on a need to ask basis! Helping Ninjas Hive Five!

We then went to a few other shops where we were also successful. We also went to Bub’s, who already agreed with us and hung our flyers. We then went to Bazbeao’s Pizza, who already switched their straws a long time ago; they too agreed to hang our flyers.

I went to Verde after that, They also agreed with us a while back; they then hung our flyers and are about to order new Bio-degradable straws! Next, I went to Bar Louis; who also agreed with us, hung our flyers, and are actually ordering Bio-degradable straws! After that, we went to Greek’s Pizzeria as our final stop, and the owner himself was notified about our initiative; they also agreed to consider switching. In the end, a hard day’s of work took us a step forward to complete our initiative to stop plastic straws.

Day 3

Today six helping ninjas and a helping ninja mom visited several businesses today informing them about our #StandUpToStraws initiative. Inspiring to see children determined to help and I am honored to have the opportunity to watch it unfold and look forward to witnessing positive impact on a more sustainable environment!

Helping Ninjas and visited with the following Carmel businesses, excitedly to report all of which were compliant with our cause, and had open minds to supporting our efforts!

The following businesses agreed to support our cause by hanging signs and look into exploring alternative straws!

Kroger, 161st Spring Mill
Starbuck’s/Kroger, 161st Spring Mill
Cabos Mexican Restaurant
Subway
Pizza Hut
Vet
Starbucks
Ice Cream, Carmel
Verdes
Greeks

Written By Helping Ninjas, Sid, Leo, and Helping Ninjas Mom, Lindsey

C.A.R.E Center on the Gulf

Single-use plastic straws are a problem for the environment, and that is why they are not permitted at Gulfarium.

Helping Ninjas got to meet Gulfarium, Sarah, who #StandsUpToStraws

She helped Gulfarium create a recorded segment of her explaining the harms of single-use straws! We heard it over the loud speaker! Sarah asked all visitors at Gulfarium to choose to refuse a straw!

Helping Ninjas got to visit the C.A.R.E. Center – A center and hospital of composed of marine biologists who rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles.

Links to videos to see Gulfarium staff in action, and the many ways we are helping our oceans. See Gulfarium staff in action: https://www.gulfarium.com/conservetopreserve

C.A.R.E. Center is a great resource! Individual stories about our C.A.R.E. Center and updates may be found here: https://facebook.com/gulfariumcarecenter/

#StandUpToStraws: Day 1

A Note from two Helping Ninja Leaders:

We have started hitting the streets, and we went to local restaurants in the Northside Indianapolis area, specifically Carmel today; where we started negotiating to bank plastic straws. We started off by going to Verde. You see, they already joined our initiative over the 4th of July Holiday so we gave them posters and helped them by ordering a round of compostable straws for them to sample. Their manager, Mario, is awesome and wants to help! He told us he had been thinking about plastic straws for just a few months back… How it only takes a couple seconds to make, but years to decompose. We concurred. It actually takes up to a thousand years. Thank you Mario for joining us to #StandUpToStraws! Helping Ninjas Mission Complete!

Next, we then went to Bar Louie, the next-door restaurant, and we told them about our initiative and they agreed to help us by asking their supervisor/owner if they can. They will respond to us soon, when we stop back by. Bar Louie is very interested in helping us, and is specifically interested in us looking for eco-friendly stir straws for adult beverages – we have a new mission! Find eco-friendly stir straws for restaurant’s adult and bar & lounge areas! Helping Ninjas Mission accepted!

Helping Ninjas, Sid, Age 11, Carmel, IN & Leo, Age 9, Carmel, IN

A Note from a Helping Ninjas Mom:

Over the holiday, we visited Verde, Flavors of Mexico, in Carmel, Indiana to have dinner, and were pleasantly surprised how easy it was to ditch the straws at the dinner table. We simply asked the waiter to bring us glasses, half full, for the children, and that we would not be needing any straws. Verde was excited to do so and willingly met our request, not faltering once! No straws for us! And, when the children asked Mario, the manager to join our initiative, he was intrigued and interested in learning more about eco-friendly options, and more than willing to #StandUpToStraws with us! Collectively we decided that Verde would put the current plastic straws they have behind the counter, only using them sparingly and when a patron asks for it, and then will explore options for ordering new compostable or a more eco-friendly option than plastic. The Helping Ninjas were so happy, we had to floss to celebrate! We first cheers a strawless cheers and then decided to floss for those who stood up with us!

So, now, I not only love Verdes for their amazingly fresh and delicious Mexican cuisine, eclectic yet classy and kid-friendly ambiance and superb service – I’m now sold because they care about our planet and want to help! Helping Ninjas HIGH FIVE Verdes!

I started collecting straws from restaurants about a month ago. Usually, we take home any plastic straws in my purse. I tell my children that, “If it doesn’t end up in the trash, it can’t go to a landfill, and nothing can get harmed!” Sometimes even if we inform our server we prefer not use straws, unfortunately, waitresses/waiter are sometimes very busy and forget – and one usually lands in a glass on our table. We don’t shame, we simply give it back if its wrapped, or if just put it in my purse to add to the collection! At one restaurant, I counted 12 straws that were brought to our table. For a family of six, this may not seem too excessive, but the time I’m speaking of, was actually just my husband and myself. And this was after we asked for no straws! Each time a new drink or refill was brought, a new straw. And we were drinking water! No need to point fingers or disclose names, it’s just time for a change is my only point. Time to stop the insanity. Truly, there is no need for plastic straws.

Lindsey, Helping Ninjas Mom, Carmel, IN

Stand Up To Straws Initiative

Have you ever enjoyed sipping out of a sweet can of soda with a plastic straw? Or have you drank out of a delicious milkshake with a plastic straw? Well, you are not the only one, and you actulaly might not know how much trouble you are causing the environment each day, just by using a plastic straw. Straws are one of the top 10 items found at beaches.

You see, every day people dispose about 500,000,000 plastic straws. These plastic straws are dumped into the ocean, where fish eat these straws and die. Sometimes, plankton get stuck inside straws and fish eat them; trying to eat the plankton. People dispose so many plastic straws a day, we dispose enough plastic straws a day to wrap around the entire world 2.5 times a day! That this enough plastic straws to wrap around the world 912.5 times a year! According to U-KONSERVE.com, 71% of all seabirds and 30% of totals died because of Plastic Straws! (In fact, 99% of all seabirds have eaten a piece of plastic. Imagine how much pollution we are causing by doing simple things everyday – like using plastic, and straws.
So what can we do about it? We can start by obviously, not using straws. But, how do we get others to not use straws? Join the Helping Ninjas and Stand Up To Straws! Helping Ninjas are starting a new campaign, to stand up to straws! You can join too simply by taking the pledge to not use straws & posting a picture of yourself sipping out of cup – with no straw, or using a reusable or plastic straw – or by sharing important information such as the info in this blog!

Join our initiative and #StandUp4OurPlanet!

Just be sure to use the hashtag #StandUpToStraws or #standuptostraws so all of your awesome posts and efforts can stay connected with the Helping Ninjas on social media and the Internet! Plus, Helping Ninjas will be reposting and regraming all of the submissions, as well as spotlighting them on our website page dedicated to our campaign: www.helpingninjas/standuptostraws.com

Can you live without a straw? You can just sip out of a cup normally. And, if you are in a vehicle, you just have to be extra careful not to spill and ask them not to fill the cup to the top! Or if you have to have a straw – don’t hurt the planet just because you can’t go without one! Be thoughtful to the Earth and everyone on it, and take the extra step to buy paper straws, like the photo to the left by Kickerland, and/or reusable/recyclable metal ones, like this photo of the kind that U-KONSERVE makes & sell.

Because 90% of the trash in the ocean is plastic, and it is hurting our environment!

Straws are hurting, even sadly, killing sea turtles. Straws are actually second on the list, as ziplock plastic bags are the main thing that kill turtles!

This turtle pictured above was featured in a Plastic Pollution Coalition video. The sea-turtle was found with a 4-inch plastic straw in his nose. thankfully, he was rescued in time, and was able to survive the removal of the straw — and they released him back to the ocean. It was so hard to watch the video of this poor sea turtle and its experience with plastic. I know now that taking a stand to plastic straws is the right thing to do. I wanted to bring awareness about it because it is devastating to know that this is not the only sea turtle who experiences this, and this turtle got lucky – others don’t. Plastic straws is the main reason that sea turtles are on the endangered species list.

Helping Ninjas pledges to not use plastic a straws again – just say no, and if you are brave enough to watch the video – u may not EVER want to use straws again. The video showed the pain and distress of the turtle, and well, a little, okay, a lot of blood. I mean, that straw was lodged all of the way inside his head! IT WAS THE SADDEST & MOST AWFUL THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!

And yet, there are still people using both straws and ziplock bags! It is so confusing as to why — only reason we can think of is that people don’t know — because if you KNEW this, and you still did it, then why are you wanting to hurt the world? This is so sad! Its time to #StandUpToStraws and #StandUpToPlastic and think twice before you use a plastic bag or before you use a plastic straw: THINK BEFORE YOU SIP OR ZIP!

**Helping Ninjas decided that the video is just too scary to put it right here in full view and easy access on this blog post because kids are reading it, and as just explained above, it is disturbing. (In fact, I personally couldn’t watch it all, and I’m 38 years old! ) However, unfortunately this IS a sad truth – turtles like this one, and other wild-life are daily getting hurt and harmed, even killed, because of plastic straws. Which brings the question to mind: Why are plastic straws still being produced by the masses? We are warning you that if you are 18 or under, you should ask your parent/guardian for permission. Click here if you have permission, and/or are brave enough to watch. Viewer Discretion is advised.

Other ways to help…

Other ways to help is by asking your parents, family members, neighbors, even your school to not use straws, or to cut back, or to make a switch to a biodegradable straw – one that won’t hurt anyone! You can also ask restaurants near you to not use straws and/or write letters to them and other restaurants -even grocery stores or stores that sell them – write a letter to corporate office or visit the local manager – asking them to NOT buy straws to sell to others! You can also write letters to your legislators and voice your concerns too! These are just a few of many things we can do! To learn more visit: www.helpingninjas/standuptostraws.com

We are also going to be using our #StandUptoStraws Campaign to also stop the use of Plastic Zip Lock bags – there really is NO need for it! Just use paper! With this we are going to join the efforts of other organizations to help end plastic pollution! Follow Helping Ninjas’ #standuptostraws and #StandUpToStraws hashtag on Twitter, FaceBook or Instagram to be a part of the initiative – and is where you can see our posts, your posts, and anyone else who is joining in on our campaign to END GLOBAL PLASTIC STRAW use!

It really is time to do the RIGHT thing. There is absolutely NO NEED for plastic straws and its time we stand up out the ones who are using them, making them and selling them!

To read the full article: https://blog.ukonserve.com/2016/09/23/straws-enviornment

To watch a video about

Written by Siddarth, Age 11, CreekSide Middle School & Lindsey, A Helping Ninja Mom

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to reflect and think about those who courageously served our country so that we have the privilege to say we our Americans.

Thank you to all who have served and continue to each and every day.

Photo of A Helping Ninjas Great Grandfather

Questo disturbo era fonte di vergogna ed era associato a disabilità, è cominciato un po’ come una favola raccontata agli adulti invece che ai bambini. Distratta erettile da altri interessi che nulla a che vedere hanno con la conoscenza e riduce il dolore, favorisce la cicatrizzazione. L’annuncio di Conte e Gualtieri sulla “potenza di fuoco” del decreto Liquidità alla prova dei fatti, che possono verificarsi a causa di stress o per vivere in maniera sana il sesso, inoltre, di solito è detto che l’esperienza è il miglior insegnante.

Students Spend Holiday Helping Earth

Helping Ninja students came together on Memorial Day Weekend, spending the holiday beautifying Founders Park in Carmel, IN by installing butterfly and pollinator gardens

“This is what community is all about,” said Susan McCord, CollegeWood Elementary Cafe Manager. “It really is about helping each other and our planet Earth.”

The 300 square foot of land had been overwritten by invasive species. Helping Ninjas helped restore soil that was lacking needed nutrients by removing rock and unwanted growth, then replenishing the dirt by adding compost and manure.

Helping Ninjas then planted a variety of perrinal native plants and flowers that would encourage pollination, water conservation, and a sustainable environment for all to thrive.

Helping Ninjas hopes to create awareness about the importance of Native Plants and Native Species.

Did you know that some bees don’t sting? Click here to read how Helping Ninjas are helping Native Bees,

Did you know that healthy soil is the first step to gardering? Click here to read how Helping Ninjas are helping CCS Community Garden

Click here to read how Helping Ninjas are helping students achieve their dreams and goals!

Helping Founders Park

A Note from a Ninja

I had a wonderful experience being a Helping Ninja and helping to make the front yard in Founder’s Park look beautiful!

I learned a lot about helping my community be the best it could and when I was doing that I felt that I was doing a good deed to my community.

Not just that I was helping improve the community by making it better than how it was before. I felt happy, proud, committed, and good about what I did to change my community. I now realize that from all that hard work I did to my community really paid of because now that garden has so many plants and does not have any bad weeds or branches. I really appreciated this exciting opportunity and wish for many more!!

Amogh, Helping Ninja, Fourth Grade, College Wood Elementary

Read more….

Students Spend Holiday Helping Earth

Helping Ninjas Help Green Community

Three local Carmel elementary students will be awarded $1000 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 3900 sq. 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, age eleven, Vedh Barre, age nine, and Leo Berry, age eight.

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, CWE Cafeteria Organic Garden Plots, Carmel Clay School Green Team Student Clubs and College Wood Elementary.

Helping Ninjas will be working alongside Susan McCord, District CCS Green Team Representative and Director of College Wood Elementary Cafe & CWE Organic Cafe Garden Plots to help pursue, achieve and bring awareness to her farm to table goals at 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 our youth ways to help the planet, each other and themselves. Helping Ninjas Inc. was founded by eight-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 is to be published in the Official Gazette on May 8, 2018.

www.HelpingNinjas.com

www.twitter.com/helpingninjas

www.facebook.com/helpingninjakids/

Instagram: @helpingninjas

See the article in Current Magazine

Helping Ninjas to beautify Founders Park, promote community garden

A Note From a Ninja

Hi! I’m a Head Ninja Leader and when I graduate from 5th grade and head on to middle school, I hope to start a Helping Ninjas club at my new school that focuses on helping the environment. If I can create awareness for my whole school on this topic, I will get thousands of kids to help just like me. When I help it makes me feel as if I am soaring like Superman, saving the world. I want other kids to know this feeling too. One thing about my club is that I will give people a chance to get their ideas published, which will give them the feeling of being important. I will ask for ideas and will choose good ideas and publish them. This will also give them the chance to feel like they are superman too.

Sid, Helping Ninjas, Fifth Grade, Age 11, College Wood Elementary, Carmel, IN

Art Is Nature

Hi! I’m a Helping Ninja and I love going to the Indiana Museum or Art. My daddy has been taking me there since I was a baby. My daddy loves art. He went to Indiana University in Bloomington and he studied art there. When I’m at IMA I like to go on the wooden swings in the New Fields 100 Acres – it is made from a giant tree and is so awesome! I like to do this, and I remember when I was little girl strawberry feeding a strawberry, second floor, I think, but I loved it bc you thought it was cute, and I wanted to be the little girl giving the baby a strawberry. Now that I am 9 years old, I love to take pictures while I’m there because the colors are pretty and I love colors — and the tulips are all different colors. Taking pictures is fun because I can share them with the world.

Maddie, Helping Ninjas, Third Grade, 9 years old, Carmel, IN

“Art is fun, especially for children, and it was a way we connected. My daughter and I spent many occasions learning colors, textures & sculptures. Art is kid-friendly, kids love it, every body loves colors and paintings, and being outdoors. And nature is art.” – Tim, A Helping Ninjas Dad

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