Watchung Students Help Create 'Surviving Sandy' Book

Five Watchung students recently contributed to the book, "Surviving Sandy."

Samantha Druckenmiller, Morgan Patterson, Callum Patterson, Breanne Druckenmiller and Matthew Druckenmiller participated in creating the 300-page hardcover book through the Pascack Valley Learning Center.

The book details the superstorm, challenges faced by survivors and highlights the hope that volunteers brought in the months following the storm, according to a statement released about the book's completion.

Pascack Valley Learning Center is comprised of students from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who were directly impacted by the storm.

In November 2012, the 115 students were moved to help others. An upcoming school bake sale fundraiser was transformed to raise money for the victims of Sandy. Students also held clothing, food and toy drives that were given to the United Way and People to People for distribution and presented $2,800 to the Red Cross.

The school body saw an opportunity to raise more funds and decided to go into the publishing business. Working with professional journalists, the Pascack Valley Learning Center students, parents and faculty collected stories, photos and interviewed top professionals in their respective fields.

From New York City’s Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano to Seaside Heights, New Jersey’s hero police chief Tommy Boyd.

“The fundraising efforts and the idea for this book came from the hearts of the students,” Principal Jeanette Fratello said. “It proves that young people can make a difference.”

Individuals and corporations wishing to purchase a Surviving Sandy book can visit www.survivingsandybook.com. Foundations and schools are also able to purchase in bulk at a discounted price to raise dollars for their own charitable organizations

About the Pascack Valley Learning Center

Pascack Valley Learning Center in Airmont, N.Y. is a school of Sterling. Sterling is a grades 3 – 12 learning institution teaching the kills of “Learning to Learn.” An integral part of Sterling’s educational program is teaching young people about community outreach and volunteerism. The book was made possible by the charitable fundraising arm: Ambient Funding.