Mill Pond's Proud Paws Club Teaches Values, Helps Community

When the Proud Paws Club was launched at Mill Pond Elementary School in October, the founders, Lori Rutigliano and Jacque Supsie got a big surprise -- 150 out of the school's 750 students signed up to join.

"It's a club to foster respect and manners among children of today," said Rutigliano. "Also, to show that giving back to the community and being an upstanding citizen can really pay off."

Rutigliano said the response was so overwhelming they had to break the club up into two groups, one for the fifth graders and the other for the sixth graders, just to make it manageable. The club, which meets alternating weeks between the two groups, is extracurricular and is being run on the two teachers' own time.

Rutigliano and Supsie wanted to take what they already do in their classes every day and bring it to the rest of the school.

"We teach handshaking and writing thank-you notes that have fallen by the wayside, not through anyone's fault but because of our busy lifestyles," she said.  "We mix etiquette and social skills and put them together in this fun and exciting group."

Among the first activities for Proud Paws has been a soup drive for the Lacey Food Bank. In the first week just in Rutigliano's class, students collected 60 cans. She said Shop-Rite has helped by donating collection bins.

On Nov. 2, the club hosted a Veterans' Day Assembly. The veterans who attended were greeted at the school by a sea of American Flags.

"One-hundred and fifty small flags were donated and the Proud Paws Club gave up recess to line the perimeter of the school," said Rutigliano. "It looked so nice, we left them up during the week leading up to Veterans Day."

The program featured Richard O'Meara, a retired Brigadier General in the U.S. Army, a combat veteran of the War in Vietnam and Supsie's father, Bernie Schneider, who also fought in Vietnam.

"They talked about their experiences, what it's like being away from home and going through boot camp and the horrible conditions," said Rutigliano. "The feedback was amazing. Several teachers and students said it was the best assembly ever at Mill Pond."

The club also is involved in collecting items to send to troops serving in Afghanistan. The entire school district is involved in the project, assisting 2010 Lacey Township High School graduate Kevin Sheehy, a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, whose platoon is on the front lines.

In December, the club will embark on another project, Candy Canes for Cancer to raise money for Oceans of Love, a charitable organization that helps Ocean County children with cancer and their families.

"It's something new for the school and it's exciting to be a part of it," said Rutigliano. "We're thankful to our principal, Mrs. Gallagher for all of her support."

To help or suggest ideas for new community service projects, contact school principal, Susan Gallagher at (609) 971-2070.