Students all aboard this fundraiser

Triangle School held the event to help first-grader Jared Zimbardo, who has been receiving blood transfusions in treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

By: John Patten
   An effort at Triangle School to get students participating in community projects has been under way all year, but the latest project shows the work is really gaining steam.
   Friday, the school held a special event for first-grader Jared Zimbardo, who has been receiving blood transfusions in treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, that focused on Jared’s favorite theme: trains.
   Students and their families purchased paper "cars" for a train that reaches almost all the way around the school’s hallways, raising $3,345, which was given to the Zimbardo family to help defray Jared’s medical expenses.
   "I am so touched by the generosity and spirit of this school community," said teacher Sue DiCenzo, who helped organize the project. "The students at Triangle School have tremendous spirits and hearts to match."
   At Friday’s ceremony for Jared — who hasn’t been to school since starting his treatment two months ago — students and staff wore engineer’s caps, blew train whistles and cheered for Jared.
   The students watched a cartoon of the children’s story "The Little Train That Could," further symbolizing their belief in Jared’s recuperation.
   "We know that Jared is as strong and brave as the little engine and that he can fight and win his battle," Ms. DiCenzo said.
   Jared’s project received extra help from Kinko’s; the Hunterdon Quilting Guild, which presented a quilt to the school to give to Jared; and parent Stacy Westhusin, who originated the idea.
   Triangle School Principal Beth Godett said the project for Jared was part of the school’s "Triangle Cares" effort, a yearlong series of community and fundraising work. The students also have undertaken fundraising for a family left homeless by a fire, made valentines to send to veterans, and raised $236 for the Somerset Home for Temporarily Placed Children, among other projects.
   "The students have been amazing — they have so much compassion," Dr. Godett said.
   Her words were echoed in the sentiments expressed by Sheri Zimbardo — Jared’s mother — who stood before all of the students assembled in the gym and thanked them for their support for Jared.
   "Words cannot describe how much you mean to us," she said.