Ridgewood Students Create A T-Shirt For A Cause

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Remote learning may have slowed the progress of some students, but one Ridgewood High School club may be more productive than ever.

Matthew De Meulder, a junior at the high school, and president of the RHS Community Outreach Club, says he and his peers have elevated their giving efforts during quarantine, as, he said, there are more people in need.

The club's latest effort is a t-shirt fundraiser, organized by De Meulder, Vice President Kaela Owitz, Head of Fundraising Sara Wong and Courtney Murphy. Proceeds from the sales will go toward Black Lives Matter Paterson and the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

Offered in indigo and royal blue, the short sleeve t-shirt reads "Ridgewood supports you!" with a graphic of the state border of New Jersey, with a star placed in the northern part of the state.

De Meulder said in an email to Patch that the club began having conversations soon after the protests against the death of George Floyd began in Minneapolis. Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died with the knee of a white police officer on his neck.

Though protests against police violence are currently the top headlines in the country, the students, according to De Meulder, wanted to also offer support to the LGBTQ community during Pride Month, and also recognize front-line workers as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

The message of the campaign is one of support. Essentially, a group of 15 Ridgewood High School students saying we stand beside you.

So far, the club has sold 34 t-shirts and raised $207. The goal of the fundraiser is to sell 75 t-shirts.

See the t-shirts and follow the fundraiser progress here: http://bonfire.com/ridgewoodsu...

Though state protests against the death of Floyd, as well as Breonna Taylor, have remained mostly peaceful, New Jersey schools have been a mixed bag.

Multiple instances of racist language used by students has contrasted the anti-racist messaging coming from the schools those students attend, and a statement from the Bergen County Association of School Administrators.

De Meulder said they are supported in their efforts by the club's advisor, Joseph Rathberger, and a school guidance counselor, but, after reaching out to superintendent Daniel Fishbein, have not heard back.

Though the students haven't heard from Fishbein, he has been vocal on social media regarding protests in the area, including his promotion of a Monday sign and poster protest organized by Ridgewood High School students and a peace and justice forum scheduled for Wednesday.

Jumping Into Action

In addition to the t-shirt fundraiser, the club has utilized remote learning to both show support and make donations to those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to De Meulder, the club organized a food drive for St. Peter’s Haven in Paterson, in which the students delivered about 40 bags of food.

They have also made cards for and produced a video thanking healthcare workers, and made 36 meals for senior citizens in need.

The club has 15 active members, but is able to mobilize groups of their classmates and peers for different initiatives, according to De Meulder.