Dress-down Fridays raise $6K for charities
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - How much would a person be willing to pay for a pair of jeans - $20 or $40? Even $100? The staff and faculty of the township high school have paid almost $6,000 to wear jeans to school on Fridays.

As part of the Blue Jean Fundraiser Days, the 200 adults working in the school are allowed to dress down on designated days, usually twice a month, for a donation of $5.

"Even though it's just $5 to wear blue jeans, people are just giving with their hearts," said Mary Nastus, the administrative assistant for Principal Salvatore Mistretta, who handles the money collection.

Thus far, the effort has raised $5,850 this year, which has been donated to the Care to Walk Committee, the American Heart Association, the recent Silly String fundraiser to benefit overseas troops and various families in need in the township and the school district, such as a family whose house burned down and a student who needed a ramp built at her house.

"We are proactive in finding things to support. It puts us in a good spot; it's good to give back," said Assistant Principal Brian Brotschul. "I think the goal we have as administrators in the building is that kids and teachers take ownership in activities like this and put a stamp on North Brunswick Township High School."

The Friday fundraisers began during the Hurricane Katrina crisis, when both students and staff members raised funds to benefit the southern states. Since then, the idea caught on and the school raised around $8,000 last year for various causes.

Since the normal dress code, as per the Board of Education, is business attire, teachers enjoy being able to dress more casually. As a reward for their participation, on occasion, Mistretta will let the staff dress down as long as they are wearing clothes that display school spirit.

"I think they have good hearts," Mistretta said of his staff. "It can't be just about wanting to wear jeans on a Friday; it has to be who they are."

The next fundraiser is scheduled for either this Friday or next Friday and will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.