Season of Giving at Warren Township Schools

Warren, NJ – ‘Twas the season of giving as 5th grade peer leaders from Central and Angelo L. Tomaso Schools participated in various service projects aimed at making the season brighter for those who might need a little cheer.

As Peer Assistance Leaders (PALS), fifth graders at Central made holiday baskets this month full of hats, gloves, toiletries, treats and other items for veterans receiving treatment at the VA hospital in Lyons. In November, the group collected more than 100 coats for the Somerset County Board of Social Services.

“The coats were given to people in the WorkFirst New Jersey program which assists individuals with finding employment,” says guidance counselor Patricia Morris who runs the PALS program at Central.

Also in November, ALT 5th graders held a canned good drive to bolster the Thanksgiving feasts of families in need, as part of their “ALT Gives Back” efforts led by Grade 5 teachers Mary Lynch and Nancy Andrews.

“These ‘ALT Gives Back’ activities help to build empathy for others,” says ALT principal Kathy Bond.

– By Mary Ann McGann

(Photos, Warren Township Schools)

Photo 1 – Central 5th Grade peer leaders made holiday baskets for hospitalized veterans. Pictured from left, first row: John Doucette, Noah Paradise, Ella Chang, Kayla Cullinane, Morgan Groff. Second Row: James Burke, Alexandra Schroeder, Julia Clemente, Francesca Salas, Samantha Traister, Cynthia Ming. Third Row: Lily Colman, Anne Brueger, Harini Mandalapu, Makayla Hentschel.

Photo 2 – Central 5th grade peer leaders collected more than 100 coats. Pictured from left: Noah Paradise, Cynthia Ming, Anne Brueger, John Doucette, Jacob Meltzer, James Burke.

Photo 3 – ALT 5th graders hold a canned food drive before Thanksgiving. Pictured from left, back row: Kayley Moran, Daniel Luna, Dennis Lei, Gianna Rodden, Ronald Leung, Lucas Risso. Front row: Ava Prisco and Ava Buckwald.