Edmond Memorial students help babies, learn lessons

Edmond Memorial High School’s DECA students collected baby food, formula, diapers and other baby items for Infant Crisis Services as part of a community service project, according to a news release.

The group took a normal project and “amped it up a bit,” DECA member Mackenzie Golden said.

Students researched the organization, learning about the nonprofit and its needs. In years past, those needs have varied, sometimes focusing on formula or other baby items. This year, the greatest need was for diapers.

After doing their research, the DECA members created themed baskets of baby items. The project has benefits that go beyond taking care of the babies, Golden said.

“We’re not just bringing in diapers,” Golden said. “With DECA, it’s all about marketing and showing stuff differently.”

DECA member Emma Perkins said the chapter’s main goal was to collect as many baby items as possible, but the teams also competed against other for the best display.

They learned about packaging, marketing, entrepreneurship, communication skills and teamwork.

“Teamwork is vital to any profession these students are going to enter,” said Kim Walters, who teaches marketing education at Edmond Memorial High School and is the adviser for the DECA chapter. “I make them do everything as a team.”

DECA students are learning about community involvement and volunteerism, but they’re also building up their resumes. Golden volunteers at the center, and she has seen the results of her efforts.

“It’s a good feeling to come here and see families picking out baby stuff,” Golden said.

Infant Crisis Services is an Oklahoma City-based organization that provides formula, food and diapers to an average of 1,500 babies and toddlers every month. The organization helps mothers and families provide for their children in times of crisis, and is supported by private funding and volunteerism.

DECA is one of seven student organizations affiliated with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, which provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a statewide system of career and technology education.