The common perception about teenagers is that they are not very civic-minded. They have more burning issues to worry about, like who’s dating whom, what they’re doing after school or whether to buy the new Britney Spears CD instead of the Backstreet Boys. But don’t try selling any of that to the North Bergen High School Key Club. With more than 200 student members, the club has thrived for more than a quarter of a century, and the students take pride in every ounce of volunteerism. “We do a lot of projects, showing that we care a lot about the community,” said Key Club president Danijela Kero. “We’re organizing a bowl-a-thon for the homeless. We have coat drives for the needy. We visit nursing homes and hospitals. We dressed up in costumes to help out the town’s Winterfest. We really do a lot.” So that’s why it was no surprise that the active group gathered this week to present a $1,000 check to Mary Ann Cleveland, the president of the North Bergen Volunteer First Aid Squad, with proceeds from a recent cheesecake sale. Students sold cheesecakes made by Ashley Farms in Pompton Lakes, and the money was donated to the First Aid Squad to help with the rising costs of medical supplies. The teens helped the paramedics who, in turn, will help the community. Bob Komar, a teacher at the school and moderator of the Key Club for the past 26 years, is proud of the club’s efforts. “We stress volunteerism and service work to give back something to the community, to be active in the community,” Komar said. “This is a great project because everybody gets together for one goal, to help each other.” Jennifer Singer was the student who sold the most cheesecakes – more than $400 worth. She figured she had the best approach, which was to hit her grade school alma mater. “I went back to Kennedy School, where I went, and I just kept selling,” Singer said. “I had to do it. It really makes you feel better about yourself, helping those in need. It feels nice.” Students Aditya Joshi and Rashmee Makhijani also chipped in with the sale. Joshi took the cheesecakes to where his mother works, while Makhijani approached the people in her neighborhood. “People are willing to help, because they see that we’re giving back,” Makhijani said. “And without giving back to the community, none of this would make sense.” Cleveland said that the First Aid Squad receives plenty of donations from other sources, but receiving a check from a cooperative effort like the club’s sale is special. “It really is nicer when it comes from the community and especially nicer when it comes from the kids,” she said. “Maintaining our squad has become expensive, with the rising costs of medical supplies. So every time somebody does something, we’re appreciative. But this is something different, because it’s coming from kids who really care.” “The organization cares a lot about the First Aid Squad,” Komar said. “We always make them a priority in our fundraising. We’ve always tried to donate something to the Squad.” Kero said that it’s important to the members of the club to feel like they are making an impact. “We have to know that we’re making a difference,” Kero said. “That’s one of the goals of the club.” “I’m just very proud as usual,” Komar said. “The kids really came through and it seems as if we’re getting more and more kids involved.” Komar said that the club is always looking for different projects for which they can volunteer their services. If anyone has any ideas, they can contact Komar through the North Bergen Board of Education at 868-1000. “If they need our assistance, we’ll be willing to help,” Komar said.
Our Digital Archive from 2000 – 2016
