Westhampton Beach Students Continue Tradition of Giving

For the past three years, Lauren Bauer, a senior at Westhampton Beach High School, has spent her Friday afternoons delivering cafeteria leftovers to the homeless at Maureen’s Haven as part of the National Rock and Wrap it Up Program.

Now, as she begins to prepare her transition from high school to college student, she is working to pass the torch of giving to freshman Jackson Parli.

“This has been a wonderful opportunity and it is nice to know that I have made a difference in the lives of so many,” said Bauer, who began the work her freshman year after her predecessor and founder of the initiative, Ethan Dornfeld, graduated.

“I am looking forward to continuing this tradition of giving back as I live in a great place and I want to help make it even better,” Parli said.

Both scholars are an extremely active volunteer within the school and local community.

Bauer participates in her school’s Key Club and Rotary Club and organizes the annual Westhampton Beach Amazing Race, which benefits the Hurricane Foundation and is a varsity tennis player.

Parli is a member of the school’s Rotary Interact Club, chamber choir and as vice president of the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance.

He also participates in the school’s drama club.

Since its inception, the National Rock and Wrap it Up service project has resulted in the delivery of over 8,000 pounds of leftover cafeteria food to Maureen’s Haven, a non-profit organization that provides shelter for the East End’s homeless population.

Photo Caption: Westhampton Beach High School senior Lauren Bauer and freshman Jackson Parli recently delivered leftover cafeteria food to Maureen’s Haven.

Photo courtesy of the Westhampton Beach School District