Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Baldwin Middle School’s Student Interest Organization, or SIO, advised by Courtney Nelson and Ashley Firmbach, and the National Junior Honor Society, NJHS, led by Laurie Tricamo, recently launched an initiative to kick off the holiday season—Operation Turkey: Baldwin Shares the Harvest.
The collaborative effort was aimed to provide local families with a warm Thanksgiving meal. In less than a month, the middle school raised $2,000 and received five frozen turkeys, all of which were distributed to families before the November break.
A Mission Beyond Meals
Inspired by the district’s focus on civic engagement, Operation Turkey goes beyond just providing “comfort food.” The initiative also teaches students the values of hope, kindness, and community involvement.
To help amplify the effort, the school partnered with Dream Chasers with Kris, Inc.—a Long Island-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping single mothers achieve their dreams.
Students Haley Prabhakar, Synthia Desantos, Jace Bristol, Cerai Ashby, and Sebastian Graham led the initiative. Throughout November, community members, families, students, and staff were encouraged to contribute by completing a pledge form with their donations. The SIO and NJHS organized the fundraiser in the school’s main office and promoted the effort leading up to the holiday.
A Helping Hand for All Families
Middle school social worker Camela Tufano explained in a news release that not all families have the resources to prepare a Thanksgiving turkey, which is why gift cards to grocery stores or local restaurants are often valuable alternatives. Tufano, who incorporates non-traditional staples like homemade ravioli into her own Italian family’s Thanksgiving celebrations, noted that many families now celebrate the holiday with a variety of cuisines and customs.
Each year, Tufano and fellow social worker Margaret Lorenz, along with other district social workers, collaborate to identify families most in need of support during the holidays.
A Festive Presentation of Gifts
The culmination of Operation Turkey: Baldwin Shares the Harvest was marked by a presentation, where middle school representatives from the SIO and NJHS presented the monetary donations and frozen turkeys to the school’s social workers. Baldwin Middle School Principal Erica Taylor organized the event and expressed her appreciation for the students’ hard work.
“This incredible achievement underscores the power of community spirit and the impact we can make when we come together for a common cause,” Taylor stated. “Every donation, regardless of size, is a step toward bringing joy and nourishment to those who need it most. Thanks to these generous gifts, every one of our families can now enjoy an even brighter holiday season.”
