Student Group Collects Water for Flint
Members of the Man Up group organize donated water for the Flint water crisis. The Red Cross has agreed to transport the water to Flint. Pictured are sophomore Ronald Canty (standing) and junior Julien Wilson.
Southfield High School’s Man-Up group is collecting water to donate to the residents of Flint.
Flint’s water crisis has made national news. The residents have lead poisoning from drinking their city water. The lead problems occurred after Flint, in an effort to save money, switched its water source from Detroit Water and Sewerage to the Flint River.
“It has always been a passion of mine to help young men of color like myself,” said Man Up Adviser Talbert Allen. “I wanted to help other young men of color to see the roadblocks we must face and conquer them.”
The Man Up group of students will donate the water to the Red Cross, which will transport it to Flint, Allen said.
Southfield High’s police liaison, Jared Womble, is assisting the Man Up group with their water collection. “I feel good being a part of an organization that is giving back to the community,” Womble said.
So far several school groups as well as individual staff members and students have donated water to the Man Up water drive. The biggest donor was the Student Council, said Allen.
The Student Council donated $100, according to Council President Teka Richardson.
In a separate water drive, Southfield Public Schools is also collecting water for Flint, but Allen said his water drive was already in place before the school district started theirs, so his Man Up group decided to continue what they had already started.
Man Up is a group that helps young black men redirect their lives in more positive directions, Allen said. At their monthly meetings, members discuss strategies for dealing with social dilemmas, as well as home and economic issues that could hinder a student’s productivity in school or life. The Man Up group helps its members plan for their future, whether it is college, trade school or work.
To donate to the Man Up water drive for Flint, contact Allen at 248-746-6127 or stop by his classroom, A-208.
Shayla Smith • Feb 29, 2016 at 10:28 am
It´s good that they have given to a community that has been through so much.
Shayla Smith • Feb 29, 2016 at 10:27 am
This is great that we are giving to a community who has been through so much
Warren • Feb 29, 2016 at 10:13 am
Whenever young people are involved in something like this it is a beautiful thing.
Jass • Feb 24, 2016 at 9:28 am
Really nice. Someone needed to step up.
Brandy Brantley • Feb 24, 2016 at 8:09 am
It’s amazing to see our younger generation giving back to the community. I am so proud of these young men for recognizing a need and stepping up and doing their part to improve communities within our state. Well done, Man Up!
Elijah Mason • Feb 23, 2016 at 10:05 am
This is very helpful towards the Flint community considering the fact that although the student group didn’t need to collect water, they wanted to and that shows their concern.
Kelley Young • Feb 23, 2016 at 7:59 am
I love seeing things like this happen at my old school.
Angela Turner • Feb 22, 2016 at 10:19 pm
I like seeing that the students are taking action by collecting water for the flint residence.
Faith • Feb 22, 2016 at 10:14 pm
This is very nice to see Southfield helping out with some of the problems.
Shariya • Feb 22, 2016 at 7:06 pm
This was so thoughtful and meaningful.
Shay williams • Feb 22, 2016 at 2:57 pm
I’m glad to hear the commmunity is helping others who are in need
Tory Boyd • Feb 22, 2016 at 2:54 pm
I love being able to keep up and read my daughter’s latest stories on this website and her work is absolutely amazing. I assume she has a great teacher.
Keonda Buford • Feb 22, 2016 at 2:35 pm
#givingbacktothecommunity
Justin Black • Feb 22, 2016 at 2:33 pm
I liked how you include the $100 donation
Jayla Stevens • Feb 22, 2016 at 2:30 pm
this is so thoughtful