Submitted by Christine Casale Broski
Arthur L. Johnson (ALJ) students held their “Your Change Can Change the World” fundraiser in December and collected $805 to buy gifts for families in need. Students collected change during lunch to raise the funds. Each class adopted one family and received a wish list. Wishes ranged from socks, sweatshirts, and basketballs to Barbies, make-up, and ShopRite gift cards. One boy asked only for a ShopRite gift card because his mom recently lost her job. Several other school organizations and classes including Miss Mills’ class, SMAC, football, Spanish National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, the Science Department, Italian Club, Key Club, and French Club also collected on behalf of the families. Faculty, staff, and administration used an Electronic Giving Tree to provide gifts for six additional families. A district-wide jeans day was also held where the money raised was used to buy coats, toys, and additional ShopRite gift cards.
Anne Marciano, ALJ math teacher and fundraiser organizer, stated, “I am so proud of all of our students. I started this program as a way to make the students more aware of the situations that other children are in during the holidays. I wanted them to donate their money so it would mean something to them. As our posters say, your change can change the world.”
Marciano would also like to thank the Clark ShopRite who supports the program every year. They donated $250 worth of gift cards.
(above) Gift Drive.
