$8,000 Raised by Nazareth Students for Charities

Sandy relief, Sandy Hook compassion, kids and Christmas, a local food bank.

Those were some of the causes for which Nazareth Area High School students and their clubs raised money and sent items in recent months.

The students and clubs were recognized at Monday’s school board meeting. Also recognized was the district-wide “think pink” campaign that raised money in the fight against breast cancer (see separate story).

High school principal Alan Davis introduced each club and its students and advisers. Here is a rundown:

AMERICAN RED CROSS CLUB

Advisers, Amy Tashner and Lauren Woodall. Student representatives: Sam Cordes, Danielle Frack, Paige Hawk, Magdalena Kalinowska, Shevon McPherson, Melissa Paez, Kelsey Weingartner. The club collected $670 at the high school for Hurricane Sandy relief. Club members joined with other school districts at the Lehigh Valley chapter site to organize equipment, wash disaster vehicles and sanitize materials, among other things.

The students wrote holiday letters to U.S. troops at veterans hospitals and overseas. They also donated supplies to the “Be an Angel Campaign” at the Lehigh Valley chapter.

BEST BUDDIES CLUB

 Advisers, Shannon Rager, Kristy Hall. Student representatives, Taylor Dendas, Cameron Ohrwashel. Collected donations for the S.P.C.A. for its Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. The club participated in the Macy’s “Believe” campaign, submitting close to 1,100 letters and raising nearly $2,200.

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN STUDENTS

 Adviser, Jillian Bruch. Student representative, Nikki Velasquez. The group collected materials for Operation Christmas Child. It sent 61 care packages to benefit underprivileged children in nations around the world.

INTERACT CLUB

 Advisers, Kathy Heller, Judy Bohard (they are not district teachers). Student representatives: Olivier Herman (an exchange student from Belgium), Binh Le, Holly Mitman. The club collected clothing and material for Hurricane Sandy relief, including 2,773 pounds of used bed linens, clothing, shoes and games. Fashion Republic assisted with giving an additional $361.44. Nonperishable food, paper products, new clothing and toys were sent directly to the Rotary Shelter in Rockaway, N.Y.

The club, along with the Intermediate School club, raised $1,000 at the Applebee’s Flapjack fundraiser with ticket proceeds and donations earmarked for Shelter Box USA.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

 Adviser, Nicolette Teles (she was adviser but was recently named assistant principal at the high school). Student representatives, Purna Ahasan, McKenzie Doyle, Jonathan Freed. The group collected 31 boxes of nonperishable food in November for the Nazareth Area Food Bank. It also collected donations in December for the Penn State Thon, raising a total of $175.

THEATRE TROUPE

 Adviser, Danielle Scheller. Student representatives, Clarissa Hoke, Max Shevalier, Hannah Stevens, Braxton White. The group donated $600 from December holiday shows to benefit Sandy Hook Elementary School families. The fall Children’s Show donated canned goods to the Nazareth Area Food Bank. All children who attended were asked to bring a canned good in place of buying a ticket. Last year’s spring musical raised $1,500 for Brenton’s Hope and $1,500 for the Northampton County SPCA.

One weekend of each show is always dedicated to a charity by donating $1 of each ticket sold. This year the troupe will donate some of its “cast hair” to make wigs for cancer patients through the American Cancer Society. Volunteers from the cast and crew will have their hair cut 1930s-style for the show instead of wearing a wig as a show of support to a cancer patient.

CONCERT BAND/CHORUS

 Advisers, Brad Boandl, Lauren Munson. No student representatives listed. Half the proceeds -- $873 – from the combined December Holiday Concert was donated to the Nazareth Area Food Bank.