7-10-2023 10:50pm

EISENHOWER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL STUDENTS RISE ABOVE TO CONQUER WORLD-WIDE HUNGER

Donnella Tilery Editor

Photo property of BRSD social media

Author: BRSD Communications Press Release

Their heart-warming mission was as plain and simple as what they were packaging.“We all love this because it is our kids who are helping other kids,” claimed Stephanie Rovi, who is a Grade 6 Math Teacher at the Eisenhower Intermediate School who teams up with other passionate and energetic staff members at the school to coordinate valuable projects.“Our kids make a global impact.” That valuable enough?

With the 2022-2023 school year just one day away from ending and the start of summer vacation about to kick off, 68 students from Eisenhower remained after dismissal and gathered to perform their valuable mission on Wednesday, June 21.

Eisenhower’s Rise Against Hunger project was performed this June 21 afternoon in the school’s gymnasium when the students from both of the intermediate school’s Student Government and Helping Hands clubs teamed up under the guidance of their dedicated leaders—Ms. Rovi along with Gretchen Alvarez, who is a Grade 6 Language Arts Teacher, Deb Ronning, who is a 5rh Grade Language Arts Teacher, Kim Patullo, who is the Grade 5 Guidance Counselor, and Dr. Laura Bassett, the Principal of Eisenhower.

Also pitching in–as usual–was the dedicated Linda Hermus, the Eisenhower Secretary.They all work together to address what Rise Against Hunger is, which is in its 25th year and is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies.Ms. Ronning, who along with Ms. Pattullo serve as the Co-Advisors of Eisenhower's Student Government, explained how their students prepared for this charitable food packaging cause, which began at the school in 2013.“We hold a fundraiser to get the money to purchase the food so we can do this every year,” Ms. Ronning reported. “This year the kids raised $3,000 in our popcorn fundraiser.”During the program on June 21, the students split up into different types of assembly lines where they packaged meals of four essentials—rice, soybeans, vitamins/minerals and dried vegetables. The students poured the dry goods into bags that were then boxed.Steve Caraballo, the Events Manager for Rise Against Hunger, which is based in Union County’s Union Township, was also in attendance during a lively session that featured music that was played throughout the gym.“We serve 78 countries and our aim is to end world hunger,:” Mr. Caraballo declared. “We go to events such as these at schools, churches, clubs and all types of organizations. It is such a beautiful thing and a pleasure to work with kids.”Those kids sure can work, too.Mr. Caraballo estimated that once the two-hour packaging routine was complete, 10,000 meals will be ready for him to transport and share throughout the world.One of the two clubs of students who hustled to make this all work, is Helping Hands, which is no stranger to assisting in worthy causes.This serving learning organization, which was created at Eisenhower in the 2014-2015 school year, is guided by its advisors, Ms. Rovi and Ms. Alvarez. Helping Hands has participated in such feel-good activities as Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, while the club has raised money for Alex’s Lemonade, packaged meals to be sent around the world with Rise Against Hunger, gathered shoes for Souls4Soles, collected food and hygiene products for local food banks, participated in a crayon drive through the Crayon Initiative, took part in CHOP’s National Pajama Day and served as volunteers at the Special Olympics that are held at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

Their energetic partners who volunteered their services to team up and produce a strong workforce at the Rise Against Hunger packaging event was the Student Government, a club that supports the Eisenhower school community.

According to Ms. Ronning, the representatives are elected by their peers and serve as good role models, as well as communicators of information. The Student Government selects the school spirit days and promotes the days and the club also plans and executes fundraisers that support the school and the community as a whole. These events, according to Ms. Ronning, feature some kind of "competition" aspect to encourage the kids to participate.“ For example, this year, we did a fundraiser for the Somerset County Regional Animal Shelter, both financially and in collecting items for the shelter. The financial part was a contest. Each HR had two jars: Dogs are better than Cats, and Cats are Better than Dogs. The kids voted for Dogs or Cats by putting their $$ in the jars,” Ms. Ronning explained. “We also sponsor our Holiday Giving Wall, where we gather holiday wishes and gift cards for Eisenhower families who are in need during the holidays. Our representatives give the tours to the incoming 4th graders and their parents as well.”Dr. Bassett, who completed her first year as Eisenhower's Principal, a role that she began in February when she replaced the retired Joe Diskin, was both delighted and appreciative during her first experience at the Rise Against Hunger event.“I am so proud of these Eisenhower Eagles for spending their afternoon on this service activity,” Dr. Bassett said. “ They were focused and determined to get the job done, and I know their Helping Hands and Student Council advisors Ms. Rovi, Ms. Alvarez, Ms. Patullo and Ms. Ronning have done an amazing job modeling service to our community and guiding these great student leaders”The Eisenhower Principal enjoyed the work, too.“ We had a fun, uplifting, and tiring afternoon of hard and good work! I’m also thankful to Ms. Linda Hermus for her hard work and support and to our custodial team that helped clean up the aftermath!” Dr. Bassett said.Everyone kicked in during a valuable effort to conquer hunger.