By:Brian Shappell
It could be said that many people take what they have for granted. But not these Cranbury teen-agers.
One of the standout groups in the Leaders in the Community Program at Princeton High School, which requires students to complete community-service or career-centered projects prior to graduation, is Helping the Homeless. And, the group is headed up by a trio of juniors including Cranbury’s own Leigh Patterson and Jackie Troccoli, as well as Princeton’s Casey Caudill.
As part of the program, junior group leaders coordinate the efforts of sophomores trying to fill the graduation requirement.
“It is really productive and good for the school and its students,” Jackie said. “Serving and interacting with the people is fun and it really makes people reflect and realize they’ve done something good.”
Throughout the school year, Helping the Homeless — which has three other Cranbury residents, Thomas Johnson, Maddie Carter and Kelley Marshall — has been among the most organized and involved groups in the high school under the junior leaders.
This year, the students took part in several activities which included volunteering at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, coordinating food and clothing drives and delivering meals to people at the Sleep E Hollow Motel on Route 1.
“I’ve seen stuff outside of Princeton and Cranbury and I realize that there are people in different situations in life,” said Tom. “It was definitely a positive experience to be a part of this. It is the more community service-oriented than some of the other groups.”
The most rewarding experience this year was gained through work on location at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, according to group members.
TASK, whose director is Cranbury resident Peter Wise, provides many options for the needs in the area including hot meals Monday through Friday, adult education programs and service providers in areas such as mental health and substance abuse.
“The trip was good, I really liked it,” said Leigh. “Everyone there was very nice and appreciative.”
The students performed several services for TASK including cooking, serving to patrons and even making Valentines for the holiday with kids during their visit in February.
“We’re very grateful that students come help us,” Mr. Wise said. “We serve 2,000 people and have only a small, paid staff. The operation is very dependent on volunteers.”
While organizations like the soup kitchen are benefiting highly from the teens’ efforts, they are not the only ones getting something out of this.
That is the point of the Leaders in the Community according to Andrea Dinan, program coordinator. Students like Tom, Leigh and Jackie have commented how their work on this project has helped increase leadership skill, responsibility and given them a glimpse of reality.
“It is very important for students to be involved in work like this,” said Mr. Wise. “It helps increase the awareness of the greater community of the needs that exist in society.”
The pair of leaders backed up their comments by coming back to the project for a second year. Following sophomore stints with Helping the Homeless, both quickly applied to be leaders for the program this year.
“I did it because it was the group I was in last year,” said Jackie. “It was the first time I’d been to a soup kitchen. I enjoyed helping there.”
According to the duo, they have no regrets of their decision.
“I think that the experience has been positive,” Jackie said. “It made me see all the things a person takes for granted. It helps you see things a little clearer.”
For more information on TASK, call Peter Wise at (609) 695-5456 or go to the Web site at www.trentonsoupkitchen.org. Donations can be made care of TASK, Box 872, Trenton, NJ 08605.
