Eighteen youths from Secaucus recently received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in recognition of their volunteerism and dedication to both local and global causes as members of a local chapter of People to People International (PTPI). The group held its eighth annual fundraiser and cultural event on Dec. 4 at the Senior Center in Secaucus to present the volunteers with a certificate, a letter from President Barack Obama, and a pin.
PTPI Co-President and awardee Allison Perricone led the Pledge of Allegiance while fellow Co-President and awardee Jigar Shah gave the opening remarks. Mayor Michael Gonnelli and Cathy Wolf, PTPI student chapter advisor, presented the awards. The evening included a cultural performance by Calpulli Mexican Dance Company and a silent auction that raised close to $2,000.
“It is a great way to go through life – opening your mind to the world around you.” – Allison Perricone
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“Your tireless efforts to improve people’s lives and foster increased understanding by thinking globally and acting locally are impressive and worthy of praise,” said Gonnelli in a written statement. “I have come to depend on People to People whenever I need capable and positive support for municipal events and activities.”
Recipients of the Presidential Youth Service Award
The Presidential Youth Service Award was created in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the work of volunteers and to encourage greater civic participation.
For completing more than 250 hours of service, the Gold award went to Chantal Lopez, Betty Romero, Christopher Lopez, and Stella Yeom. For completing between 175 and 249 hours, the Silver award went to Mohak Dave, Sally Kim, Chirag Patel, Amina Shahid, Ronit Desai, Danielle Muzones, Jigar Shah, and Harekrishna Tripathy. For completing 100 to 174 hours the Bronze award went to Ryan Jeffas, Ashay Mehta, Allison Perricone, Sean Jeffas, Kathleen Mercado, and Vandita Tejwani. Youth ages 15 to 25 were eligible to receive the presidential service award.
High international ranking
“We are the leading chapter in the United States and ranked second in the world,” said Wolf in regard to the number of volunteer hours collectively performed by the group. Wolf said that the local PTPI chapter, called Go International for Tomorrow (GIFT), won the highest award for the International Team Peace Challenge in recognition of points earned for events and activities held throughout the year.
Collectively the group performed 3,309 service hours.
“We do a lot of programs,” said Wolf.
The student chapter has organized a number of cultural events throughout the year to raise awareness and support for local and international efforts.
The students sent hygiene kits to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, coordinated a Japan Earthquake Relief project, and cleaned up Schmidt’s Woods for Global Youth Service Day among many other activities. The students volunteered for local events such as the Holiday Bazaar and Parade, the Secaucus Library Mini-Fair, and the Memorial Day Parade.
Peace through understanding
“I’ve learned a lot about other cultures,” said Perricone. In addition to serving as co-president for GIFT, she also is president of the Student Government Organization at Secaucus High School and was recently named to Meadowlands A Conference’s top unit for girls volleyball. A senior in high school, she has been a member of GIFT since 2004.
“It is a great way to go through life – opening your mind to the world around you and getting to learn about things outside of New Jersey and outside of Secaucus,” noted Perricone.
GIFT is closely aligned with Wrap 4 a Smile foundation, which coordinates activities to collect and send items to those in need either locally, nationally, or internationally. The group partners with organizations like Peaceworks and Operation Shoebox to send items to troops.
“We participate in a lot of community activities,” said Jigar Shah. In addition to his work as co-president of GIFT, Shah also serves as president of Mu Alpha Theta, a mathematics honor society, and is captain of the Challenge Academic Team.
“Together as a group, there isn’t anything we can’t do,” said Shah. “Any little amount that you are doing to help people can make a huge difference.”
History
GIFT began in Secaucus after local resident Kevin Williams, Wolf’s son, went to a PTPI sports ambassador program in Europe as a 13-year-old in 2003. When he returned, he was motivated to start a local chapter and continue to serve in his ambassadorship role.
He recruited his peers and Wolf stepped in to serve as advisor to the group. He is currently a student at George Washington University.
“Each year you see the children through different generations,” said Wolf. “You learn a lot more about them by working with them side by side…All they need is somebody to guide them.”
Wolf said that GIFT has also served as a support system as the members go through high school and prepare for college.
Adriana Rambay Fernández may be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.