Beginning their journey on a charitable path

When Hewlett Elementary student council members were thinking of where to donate the money they raised from their annual bake sale, their advisors Ellen Feldman and Stephanie Schwartz, guided them to help students in local schools.

The student council donated $388.84 to a band program at a middle school in Westbury and $258.69 to purchase Samsung tablets for students with autism at an elementary school in Hempstead on Donorschoose.org, a website where people can donate to schools in need across the country for various classroom and program needs.

While choosing a school to donate to, the student council members had certain criteria. “We wanted to help more than one class so we thought if we donated to a band program, we would be able to help a bigger group of kids,” said Brett Karkus, a fifth-grader.

Anna Tevzadze, also a fifth-grader and student council member, said Hewlett Elementary students are very fortunate and wanted to give back to those who are not as fortunate. “I hope the students are much happier now at school,” she said.

Schwartz, a fifth-grade teacher, and Feldman, the school’s social worker, have been working together as student council advisors for at least seven years and said they hope that giving back at an elementary level leads to bigger and better things in their future. “Being in elementary school there is so little that the children can do so we wanted them to see how they can make a difference in their school and local communities,” Schwartz said. “We tend to stick with local organizations so it’s easier for the students to see how they’ve helped.”

According to Feldman, all 30 student council members sign a contract upon joining that states that they must give up one recess period a week to help another student or teacher in the school. “It’s our second year doing that and the students can work with younger students or assist a teacher,” she said.

Landon Brunett hopes his fellow students will look at student council as a role model and also give back when they’re able to. “Some kids don’t think about other kids in our county and they can give back,” he said.

Fifth-grader Emmie Cohn felt great about giving back to those in her community. “It’s not hard to donate money [through the website], it doesn’t take much time,” Cohn said. “I hope the students are more excited to go to school and I’m happy we were able to give them what they needed.”

Echoing Cohn’s words, fellow fifth-grader Shadrack Pierrot said, “It feels great to help them out with things they didn’t have before. It’s important to try and help people in the world and in your neighborhood, you’ll feel better.”

As these students move onto Woodmere Middle School next year, Feldman and Schwartz hope they continue on this charitable path. “I hope we were able to open their eyes to what’s out there and nearby so they give back in middle school and high school,” Schwartz said. “It’s important for them to realize there are people in their community who need different kinds of help. They’re not miles away, they’re right here in their neighborhood.”