The Volunteer Club
2004 Award Winner

Program Name: The Volunteer Club
Nominator's Name: Dr. Charles Serson
Nominator's Title: Jonathan Dayton High School Principal
Nominator's Address: Mountain Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey 07081
Nominator's Telephone Number: 973-376-1025
Organization Name: Jonathan Dayton High School Volunteer Club
Organization Address: Mountain Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey 07081
List of Community Partners: Commerce Bank, Kearny Federal, Tuscan Dairies, Schering-Plough, IHOP, Chamber of Commerce, Autoland, Hecht Chiropractic
The nominated program focuses on the following grade level or area: High School
District: Springfield
County: Union
Address: Mountain Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey 07081
District Superintendent: Dr. Thomas Butler
District Telephone Number: 973-376-1025
Date of Program Initiation: 1998

Area 1: Goals:

The Volunteer Club was established six years ago to foster student involvement and awareness of community and school needs. The program's main objective is to make the students cognizant of the fact that "richness" cannot just be measured by a monetary equation but must focus more on the non-tangible quality of life.

Area 2: Activities:

The students sponsor four senior citizen breakfasts and one senior citizen prom each year. Some type of program accompanies each breakfast, speaker or entertainment, which are geared to meet the needs of the senior citizens. These have included in the past speakers from: AAA, the police (crime division), local medical personnel, financial and banking representatives and elder care lawyers. The Governor, local Freeholders and New Jersey Close-Up (NJEA) have also been participants, honoring both the senior citizens and students. The unique feature is that it brings the young together with the old and affords both groups the opportunity to interact and learn from each other and dispel the "myths."

For each of the breakfasts there are an average of 45 students involved on the actual day of the breakfast with an average of 140 senior citizens. The students begin their preparation one month before each breakfast soliciting goods and services. The breakfasts are continuous throughout the school year and as soon as one is finished, work begins immediately on the next. Parents often assist with the pick-ups and donations of food and give-aways.

Area 3: Outside Resources:

One breakfast is sponsored by: the local Chamber of Commerce, one by Commerce Bank, one by the Springfield Municipal Alliance and the other a local chiropractor. The students themselves sponsor the senior citizen prom from money raised by fundraising. Donations for each breakfast come from the following: two $500.00 Exxon Grants, Schering-Plough, Tuscan Dairies, Costco, IHOP, Panera Bread, Kings, Shop-Rite, and Dunkin Donuts. Several parents have contributed "give-aways" from their businesses. Other local businesses offer their products at a discount such as: Bagel Supreme, Summit Plant and Flower Exchange and Union Plaza Diner.

Area 4: Evaluation:

Six years ago the program began with a core of only ten students and has expanded to 150 students out of a total school population of 550 students. The students demonstrate self-management skills by organizing the breakfasts, planning the menus and programs, contacting the seniors, local businesses and corporations. They work in various teams to complete the above tasks, working well with people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Breakfasts are evaluated continually at meetings to monitor, improve and validate performance. The students use critical thinking skills and decision making in establishing the programs and accounting for the funds collected and disbursed. Individual responsibility, self esteem, self-management, sociability, integrity and honesty are promoted.

The students set examples that communicate and affect the behavior of others. They are learning to recognize their role in an ever-changing social and political environment. The students are able to communicate and relate for different purposes and audiences and realize their responsibility as a citizen. They continually strive for alternative and additional programs for community outreach to bridge the inter-generation gap.

Area 5: Stability:

The students are mentored by the same advisor who brought the idea to me six years ago. She insures that there is continuity throughout the student body. The students that begin in their freshman year continue all four years with the group recruiting incoming freshmen and new students all the time. The aforementioned corporations, businesses and parents and fund-raisers have consistently supported the program the past six years. At the breakfasts we recognize those members of the community who have so generously contributed.

Area 6: Endorsements:

The number of students and senior citizens attending the programs has increased drastically over the last six years. The seniors planning their trips to the high school a year in advance. In addition, involvement of local businesses has multiplied as evidenced by calls received at school with the businesses volunteering their help.

There has also been an increase in major corporation participation. Not only has there been an increase in community programs but an increase in senior citizen involvement in school activities. Events and services are offered free of charge to the community residents. Skills and life experiences are mutually shared between the students and community members.

"Jonathan Dayton High School has offered many events to benefit the senior citizens in Springfield. We are asked quite often in the recreation office when the students will be having another breakfast. The seniors look forward to joining the students at the school for breakfast and enjoy talking with them about anything and everything. This department feels it is important to allow the young generation at Dayton to interact with the very people who helped this town grow into a great community. The school system offers a variety of events to include all the seniors in town. The senior citizens look forward to all of them! Thank you Dayton, keep up the good work."

Michael Tennaro Jr., Springfield Recreation Department

"Commerce Bank has a commitment to the community along with the Jonathan Dayton High School Volunteer Program. We support the community events through donations, sponsorship and participation. The two events that we have been most active through the high school has been the Senior Citizen Breakfast and the Scholarship Program. Working closely with the Springfield Schools has allowed us to build a strong relationship with the community"

Rosalinda Perez, Branch Manager

"Kearny Federal Savings Bank, has had the pleasure of sponsoring more than several projects initiated by the Volunteer group over the past several years. The students conducted themselves in a manner of caring, guiding and helping in every facet of the event. I was truly impressed by their desire and attitude of giving more of themselves than receiving the accolades that may come from the event. They are truly a rare group of students."

Patrick Paolella, Vice President