by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
Oprah Winfrey is getting out of the Big Give business, but the students of Crossroads North Middle School are just getting in.
This year, the students’ annual philanthropy program will benefit a local family in need of a financial jump-start. The plan is to raise money for a mother and her two daughters — one of whom was recently diagnosed with an illness — who are in need of a new home.
The beneficiaries wish to remain anonymous and for the daughter’s illness to be unnamed.
Crossroads language arts teacher Susan Berkey Carr said the Big Give concept was inspired by the now-canceled “Oprah’s Big Give,” on ABC television, where contestants competed to donate to charity in creative ways.
The students have raised money for larger causes in the past, such as research for various diseases, but Crossroads teachers wanted the students to have a personal connection to their work this time, Ms. Berkey Carr said.
”When you raise money for a big cause, the kids don’t see how they are helping, they don’t really understand,” Ms. Berkey Carr said. “This year, we really wanted to connect the kids, so they know what it feels like to help.”
The school has pledged to raise at least $16,000 for a needy family recommended by Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf. The money will go toward a security deposit on a new home, the first month’s rent, moving expenses and some medical expenses for the daughter who is ill.
The students are well on their way to reaching their goal, having already raised about $4,000 through various events, including a Mother’s Day flower sale, and a “pie your teacher in the face,” contest, of which Ms. Berkey Carr is a participant. Children place money in jars — each represents different teachers —and the jar with the most money at the end of the contest, as the name suggests, earns that teacher a pie to the face.
Ms. Berkey Carr said that the teachers have also challenged the students to raise money on their own. This is a challenge that was met and exceeded by two eighth-graders, Melanie Huen and Angela Porcelli. The two 13-year-olds worked together to raise about $190 by selling baked goods, like cookies and brownies, during sporting events in several township parks.
”After we sold all the stuff I felt really good because the money is going to somewhere good,” Melanie said. “This money could change that family’s whole life.”
Angela said that the two girls were excited about what they were doing.
”We were telling each other while we were doing it that we felt so good and we were so proud of each other,” Angela said. “It is great to be able to help people get what we have.”
The project’s biggest planned fundraiser will come in June, when the school will raffle 14 baskets full of items gathered by students. The baskets are of various themes, including a restaurant basket filled with gift certificates, a spa basket with lotions and body sprays, and a Mets basket with tickets and apparel. Tickets are still being sold, and Ms. Berkey Carr said that an exact date to draw the winners has not been set.
Among the students who helped contribute to the baskets was eighth-grader Jessica Stanislawczyk, who was able to get the Longhorn Steak House to donate a $100 gift card for the restaurant basket.
”I’ve learned that a lot of people want to help, but they don’t always know where to start,” Jessica said. “When you get started though, you don’t want to stop. You just want to keep helping and helping.”
Ms. Berkey Carr said that the teachers have been pleased with the effort that the kids have put into the raising the money.
”They have really given this a tremendous response,” she said. “They have really done amazingly.”
For a complete list of the raffle baskets and a description of the items, visit www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/MissLaskowitz/extra_credit.cfm, and send questions or requests for raffle tickets to Ms. Berkey Carr at [email protected].
Ms. Wolf said the township Department of Social Services is still in the process of locating a low-rent, two- or three-bedroom apartment for the family, and encourages anyone who might know of a suitable place to contact her at 732-329-4000, ext. 7674.