By now, most Westporters know that Staples students are SLOBs.
The acronym stands for Service League of Boys. It’s the largest club at the high school, and all year long they’re at work. SLOBs clean parks and the Gillespie; staff events like the Rotary Club LobsterFest, and partner with organizations like the Senior Center and Library.
Girls have never been SLOBs.
But now they’re SLOGs.
The Service League of Girls was an idea waiting to happen.
Alex Gordon, Kira Tomoda, Abby Friedman and Emma Morris were lead busy lives. They play sports (swimming, water polo, cross country, track and lacrosse). They are involved in clubs like AWARE, and work after school (Offline clothing store, JL Rocks, Village Bagels).
Independently, two pairs (Abby and Kira, and Alex and Emma) saw a need to for a SLOB-like group for girls. They got together, and slogged through the process of starting a club.
SLOGs leaders (from left): Alex Gordon, Abby Friedman, Emma Morris, Kira Tomada.
Their mission statement notes: “We strive to provide an inclusive environment, and foster a sense of compassion, empathy and social responsibility in those who participate.”
SLOGs debuted with a booth at the school’s club fair this fall. They created an Instagram page, and told friends.
They found plenty of members. Then they needed jobs for them to do.
Staples SLOGs, at this month’s meeting.
There’s no lack of opportunities. In its first few months SLOGS:
- Ran a winter clothing drive for the Open Doors community closet in Norwalk.
- Wrapped gifts with the Carver Foundation. The next day, they handed them out.
- Helped at the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s “Pizza with Santa” event.
Wrapping gifts for the Carver Foundation.
In the works:
- A fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of America
- A packaging event with Filling in the Blanks, the Norwalk weekend meals program for students.
- A spring program at the Senior Center.
There are many ways to describe Staples students. Among the most worthy: SLOGs and SLOBs. (Hat tip: Amy Schafrann)
(“06880” is proud to highlight the great work of Westport’s youth. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)