Students raise money to benefit five U.S. families
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK — The student council at Livingston Park Elementary School has raised $1,250 in support of the World Vision organization.

The donation will support five families in the United States who need assistance with food, supplies or starting a small business.

Each family will receive $250, which World Vision will turn into $3,500 worth of goods and services to help the families. This is accomplished by chain reactions, such as a goat providing milk, chickens providing eggs for sale, or cell phone usage being sold to those needing to make international calls.

The location of the families will be determined by World Vision based on essential need.

"The goal is to turn around the cycle of poverty," adviser Patricia Mallea said.

Mallea first heard about the nonprofit organization while watching the TV program "Good Morning America" in December. With her students being inspired by President Barack Obama's inaugural speech in January about the need to help domestically, the students decided this would be a good venture to undertake.

The students raised the funds in a variety of ways. They received about 10 cents from General Mills for every box top collected; they received 2 cents for every Nabisco wrapper collected; they sold Livingston Park-themed merchandise at their school store; and they were paid $200 by Middlesex County, twice, to participate in the Adopt-a-Road program to clean up Ridgewood Avenue.

"I think it's important, because if we want to help someone, especially as a school, … even though we're just an elementary school, we can help by starting earlier," student council Vice President Stephanie MacDougall said.

The student council may branch out to international relief aid next year, but for the time being, "[this] is where we live, so it's important to us," said Lineth Galeano, student council secretary.

Treasurer Anthony Kovach added, "I learned that it's always good to help out other people when they really need it. And when you can help, it's always good to help those closest to you. … Five families in this world are going to have a better life now."

With the hope that there is a pay-itforward reaction, student council President Samantha Mehalick said, "If we help them, maybe now they will help others.

"We want to help them and make their lives better," she said.

For more information or to donate, visit www.WorldVision.org.

Contact Jennifer Amato at

jamato@gmnews.com.