The Ben Franklin School "family" would like to take this opportunity to thank all the very generous people who donated money to families of our students who were victims of the Northridge apartment complex fire. The money was distributed and divided to each of the families, depending on how many of their children went to our school. In all, we collected over $15,000. All of the 10 families, with 16 children in our school, have expressed their sincere gratitude for everyone’s generosity. This money was given to the families for necessities, such as food, personal clothing, and the individual housing needs that they each had, including deposits on a new apartment.
In addition to the money, we also received donations of clothing and furniture. We received so much clothing that we donated some of it to other families and charities. In the end, we donated 70 large bags of clothing to FISH (an organization in Piscataway that helps clothe needy women and children) and Timothy Christian School.
In addition to the numerous individual donations from neighbors, classmates, families and friends of our students and their families, we would like to recognize the organizations and companies who gave so generously:
Ben Franklin Elementary School PTA Variety Show 50-50; Edison Maintenance Custodians Local ETCMA; Ben Franklin students penny race; James Madison Intermediate School; James Madison Primary School; Fleet Bank, Woodbridge Avenue, Highland Park; Our Lady of Peace Knights of Columbus, Council No. 9199, Fords; Our Lady of Peace Columbiettes; Washington School students, families and faculty; Martin Luther King Elementary School; Stop & Shop supermarkets; Dominick’s Pizza, Woodbridge Avenue, Edison; SuperCuts, Route 1, Edison; John P. Stevens High School students, families and faculty; FISH organization, Piscatawa;, Pathmark Stores Inc.; Agape Family Worship Center, Rahway, St. Cecilia’s Assembly; Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree; and Edison BOE administration.
In all, we are very proud of our family here at Ben Franklin and in the generosity of so many people.
Principal Gary Reiter
Ben Franklin School
Edison