Cazenovia High School students were honored by the Salvation Army and were presented a plaque for their outstanding service on Feb. 16 in the Buckley Gymnasium. Participants in grades 9 through 12 collectively logged 350 volunteer hours during the 2010 Red Kettle Campaign and raised $6,225 this past holiday season. CazCares client services director, Gigi Redmond, and Salvation Army Field Representative Joshua R. Sheriff applauded the students for their achievements and reminded them what a difference they were able to make to their community.
“In Cazenovia, 1300 people were helped. There were over 300 children that were able to receive help. Kids that weren’t going to have a Christmas gift this year, did, because of all of you,” Sheriff said. “The reason that America is great is because of kids like you, you really are the future, and the future looks great. This is a town that sees its own need, and helps itself.”
Students volunteered their time, standing alongside the traditional red kettle and ringing the familiar bell for about six weeks. From the weekend before Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, participants were posted in the lobbies of Kinney Drugs and Tops Supermarket. The proceeds raised by Cazenovia students are given to CazCares, the local food pantry and clothing closet, and then distributed back into the community.
Cazenovia High School requires students to complete 40 hours of community service during the four years they are enrolled. Those that participated in this fundraiser went above and beyond requirements, some volunteered for up to four shifts. In exchange for their service, fundraiser coordinators agreed to log all of the students hours for them, a process usually tedious and time-consuming for the busy kids.
Brodie Kellish and Joey Romagnoli accepted the plaque on behalf of their peers. The two played an integral role in enlisting volunteers and coordinating shifts. Both students mentioned the strong sense of satisfaction their time volunteering has brought.
“It’s a fun thing to do on weekends with friends, and it helps out a lot of people,” Kellish said.
“It feels good that we raised money for all the people that need it,” Romagnoli added.
The Salvation Army approves all programs CazCares uses the money for, and recipients are informed as to which organizations the funds come from. Through programs like Apples Bread and Carrots, Back-to-School backpacks, and Christmas baskets, CazCares provides residents from surrounding areas with food, clothing and educational assistance. Each month over 150 people receive assistance from their location at 101 Nelson St. in Cazenovia.
For more information on Salvation Army red-kettle bell ringing opportunities visit salvationarmyusa.org. To learn of the history, or ways to donate to CazCares visit cazcares.org. To contact the office for information on offered programs, contact [email protected] or call 655-3174.
