Robbinsville High School’s ONE Project Youth Council successfully executed their first project last mont in the 2015-2016 Kindness Project.
The Kindness Project was brainstormed, planned, and effectuated by an organization of high school students looking to positively impact pediatric patients locally and nationally through donating gifts and care cards. The team of 30 students packaged over 700 gift items, including board games, craft kits, art supplies, toys, and more, that were donated to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Child (CHOP) Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy department. In addition, 450 care cards containing personal notes of inspiration and illustrations are being mailed to Cards for Hospitalized Kids, an organization that distributes them to pediatric hospitals around the nation.
The ONE Project Youth Council Club was recently established at Robbinsville High School in November of 2015. Since their enrollment, club members have been planning the Kindness Project, educating one another on the positive impacts they are capable of making. The group collaborated ideas to formulate their first project that would support patients in a time of need. The Youth Council additionally addressed the issue of patients feeling disconnected by creating care cards that were personal and motivational.
The Youth Council team received an overwhelming amount of support from local businesses and individual contributors. This holiday season, Holly Yablonowitz and Cynthia Coolidge, co-owners of All for Dance, collected gift donations from their dance studio families.
“Not only do we encourage our dancers to be the best they can be in the classrooms, but we encourage them to be the best they can be in life,” stated Yablonowitz. “Partnering with ONE Project this winter was a great example of how our students and families come together to support our community with the love and care that they show each and every day here at the studio. We were proud to take part in such a great cause and hope to work with ONE Project for many years to come.”
Lee Paroly, the owner of Friendly’s in the Foxmoor Shopping Center, worked with Robbinsville High School’s ONE Project Youth Council’s fundraising group to organize an ice cream sundae sale after the high school’s winter pep rally. Pond Road Middle School students showed their support through making care cards in art class and at the Early Act Club.
Ashley Stamboulian, founder and leader of Robbinsville High School’s ONE Project Youth Council Club, stated, “I would personally like to thank everyone who contributed to the Kindness Project in our collaborative efforts to brighten patients’ days. Being surrounded by other students and community members who share the same passion for giving back is humbling and shows the true essence of our town.”
Robbinsville High School students who would like more information about the ONE Project Youth Council Club can email [email protected]. Facebook: www.facebook.com/oneprojectnj
