Stockbridge resident within reach of highest recognition, Stars and Stripes Final Level Award

Sarah Drew and Jean McKim, Director of Imagine Planet Science Center, display sponsorship and award plaques in regard to Drew’s projects.

by Jo Mayer

Few people in Michigan have received the Stars and Stripes Final Level Award, and Stockbridge resident Sarah Drew hopes to see her name added to the short list.

The Stars & Stripes Award is the highest recognition available to an American Heritage Girl, an organization founded in 1995 and dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country. In addition to badge work, references, and personal reflection, Stars & Stripes Award Candidates must complete a substantial service project that they plan, lead and implement.

“The Stars and Stripes award requires a hundred hours of service and must make a large impact in the community,” Drew, a homeschool senior student, explained. “For my project, I am refurbishing Imagine Planet Science Center in Jackson. Imagine Planet is run by Jean McKim, who recently had cancer but is now in remission. I hope to help her get back on her feet with this project.”

Imagine Planet Science Center opened as a non-profit in 2015 and is within walking distance of downtown Jackson. It features a variety of hands-on science activities, including a dinosaur dig, a water table, fossils, rocks, minerals, chemistry, and over 40 live animals. It is free to the public.

“My favorite part was painting the gift shop sign,” she said. “I also enjoyed directing my volunteers around while a corn snake was wrapped around my arm.”

Drew spent every weekend in March refurbishing the center, cleaning rugs, windows, animal cages and more and painting where needed. “My favorite part was painting the gift shop sign,” she said. “I also enjoyed directing my volunteers around while a corn snake was wrapped around my arm.”

As noted, Drew had help with her work at the center. “I’ve had Consumers Energy workers volunteer on my project, as well as many faithful helpers from American Heritage Girls and Trail Life USA.”

Not only did Drew directly improve the condition of the center, she also raised money to buy needed items by soliciting donations from area organizations, businesses, and her own friends. “For my project I have been able to donate $2,000 worth of items,” Drew said, “including a large U-shaped science table, 12 comfortable bar stools, 2 benches for the kids area, cabinet for the gift shop, name tags for the animal crates, pet supplies, science supplies, gift shop sign, a kids’ table, and gift cards.”

“For my project I have been able to donate $2,000 worth of items,” Drew said, “including a large U-shaped science table, 12 comfortable bar stools, 2 benches for the kids area, cabinet for the gift shop, name tags for the animal crates, pet supplies, science supplies, gift shop sign, a kids’ table, and gift cards.”

Other donors to her project included Grass Lake Chiropractic Center, Craig and Laurie Goodlock, Jon Fillmore from Abbott & Fillmore Insurance Agency, Kerry and Sharon Holmes, and members of the Henrietta Fire Department.

While proud of her accomplishments, Drew admits it tested her. “It is a difficult badge that has tested my faith [and] perseverance, and has been physically and emotionally draining. Yet I would gladly do it again to help support Imagine Planet and because of all the things I learned through it.”

Imagine Planet, located at 632 E Michigan, Jackson, Mich., is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed Fridays and Sundays.

Photo from https://americanheritagegirls.org