In 2015, the Mercer PTO invited students to come up with ideas for spending the PTO budget. The students came through with some big ideas that benefited the whole Mercer community. Those included a Magic Treehouse in the Mercer library, a school play, and a new after-school club that all students could join.

The Meerkat Club, as it is now known, has been a big success. This past year, more than 275 students participated in the after-school club, which provides late bus service and has no activity fee. Their most popular activity involves assembling activity kits for children who are hospitalized over the holidays. University Hospitals was the beneficiary in 2015 and the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital received the kits in 2016.

Students in the club also enjoy activities centered around books, with a companion snack and craft. Each Meerkat Club session begins with a discussion about an International Baccalaureate theme that is folded into the activity.

Not only do the Mercer students have fun connecting with one another outside of the classroom, they love the feeling of giving back to their community. Says one student, "I like Meerkat Club because I enjoy helping others. I liked putting the kits together for children in the hospital."