Two Berkeley Heights Teens Raise $1,000 for Non-Profits

Governor Livingston High School students Jennifer Leonard and Monica Callaghan, recently teamed with Poor Herbie’s Restaurant located in Madison and Beacon Hill Tavern in Summit, and their patrons to raise $1000 for two important charities. 

In a four-week campaign, the two sophomores made posters and solicited donations of cash and goods for the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, located in East Hanover, and a women’s shelter in Morristown.

"Jennifer's mother, Lucy Leonard, is a bartender at both restuarants. The girls made posters and spoke with bartenders and restaurant managers about the project. The posters went into the bars and restaurants and the patrons did the rest," said Robin Callaghan, Monica's mother.

She said the girls periodically picked up the donations and made the delivery to the animal shelter.

“We both love animals, and we both own pets that came from a shelter," Jennifer Leonard said. “We chose to raise money for the animal shelter because of the great work they do to ensure there are no abused, abandoned, neglected or homeless animals."

The teens were able to donate $500 to the animal shelter.

“People were so generous; in addition to the cash, we filled the back of my mom’s SUV with donations of food and supplies for the animal shelter," Callaghan said.

The teens also raised another $500 in addition to toiletries and other supplies that were donated to a local women's shelter in Morristown.

The teens plan to hold another food drive during the summer with the goal of collecting one thousand pounds of food. 

For information about the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, visit: http://www.njshelter.org