A harvest of good intentions at East Rockaway High School

On Feb. 9, 12 students from East Rockaway High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) were awarded by Island Harvest for their successful student food drive campaign. 

`The 2009 Island Harvest Student’s Feeding Student’s Food Drive was a competitive event between local high schools to see which schools could raise the most food donations, measured in pounds. ERHS SADD raised almost 700 lbs. of food, a total that earned them third place in the food drive competition. 

“Sponsoring this food drive provided an opportunity for the students to raise food to support the area’s hungry, as well as build their leadership skills through community organizing” said Social Worker and SADD Advisor Kristen Kosloff-Mednick. “I am proud of them and I’m very happy that Island Harvest held this awards celebration in an effort to recognize and reward our students for their hard work and positive involvement.”

  ERHS students spent the day at the Island Harvest Warehouse in Uniondale, celebrating their success with students from Valley Stream North and New Hyde Park.  Doreen Principe, Coordinator of the Island Harvest Student Food Drive, educated the students about Hunger on Long Island. Principe shared stories of families struggling to stay afloat and being forced to choose among food, housing payments and utility bills. Some students were surprised to learn that so many middle class Long Island families are in need of food assistance. 

“I was shocked to hear that many of the volunteers who collected and served food to the needy in the past, have become newly hungry and jobless themselves,” said SADD Co-President Amanda Trantel. 

  The students also shared some creative food collection ideas and activities with the other winning schools. “Hearing from the other schools inspired us to want to make this food drive even bigger next year,” said SADD Treasure Sheri Reichelson. 

Lindsey Dinowitz agreed, adding that “it’s amazing what a small group of students can accomplish when the work together to help others.”

  ERHS SADD plans to sponsor the Island Harvest food drive again in the Fall 2010.

Kristen Mednick Kosloff) is a social worker at East Rockaway Jr/Sr High