By Jennifer Ersalesi
Photo credit: Mrs. Judy Leonard
For the past ten years, students who participate in either the Future Teachers of America or the Future Business Leaders of America Clubs at Rutherford High School have been donating teddy bears to a worthy cause in Jersey City.
Carol Drewes, a retired RHS teacher, began this project while she was still teaching at RHS. Mrs. Drewes had a friend that taught at PS 21 who informed her that many of the students in her school did not receive Christmas gifts. Mrs. Drewes decided that she would find a way to collect bears to donate to all of the students attending PS 21.
After Mrs. Drewes retired Mrs. Cherryl Bott, Mrs. Judy Leonard (the Advisors of the Future Business Leaders of America) and Mrs. Margaret Nastasi (Advisor of the Future Teachers of America) became the coordinators of this project. This year 50 students participated in this project and helped to prepare over 151 bears for delivery to PS 21 in Jersey City.
Mrs. Judy Leonard told TIR, “This year we collected 151 bears through monetary donations and bear donations from students, faculty, and staff.”
The students and staff at RHS were excited to participate in this volunteer opportunity this year and look forward to carrying on this traditional holiday project for many years.