C.H. School Raises Funding For Red Cross

Students and Families of Beck Middle School raised $2,500 to support the relief effort in New York City. The money was used to buy T-shirts for the fire fighters who have been working seemingly endless shifts. Officer Gary Cundiff of the Cherry Hill Police came to Beck Thursday to describe the desperate need for simple supplies. Cundiff, who has spent a great deal of time with the students of Beck, asked if there was any way Beck could help to raise some money. His impassioned plea made quite an impact.

Student government advisor Cyndi Nieves immediately assembled the student leaders who were already making plans to collect donations for the Red Cross. Letters were sent home with the students on Thursday, and students collected the donations Friday in school. When the end of the day arrived, everyone was amazed that the total was just over $2,500. That money was just the beginning.

Officer Cundiff reported that through the weekend, he received close to one hundred calls from Beck parents offering their help and support. Students created cards of encouragement for the rescue workers and presented them to Officer Cundiff and over a dozen of his colleagues on Monday at the school. Police officers and firefighters from various localities brought the truckloads of T-shirts to the school so that the students could sign the boxes. About 400 students assembled on the soccer field to personalize the gift. A visibly moved Cundiff thanked the students for the difference they were making. He accepted the cards and told the students that all of the boxes on the field were a direct result of their generosity.

Officer Cundiff called the next day to report that they were able to get an escort all the way to the command post, about 3 blocks from the rescue operation. They posted the letters from the kids, and some firefighters took them off the wall to take home. Everyone was truly touched by the support of Beck, and the T-shirts were literally handed to the workers that needed them.

Beck continued its fundraising efforts through the next week. The morning after they had raised the initial $2,500, another $500 came in. The rest of the donations were sent to the American Red Cross. The parents, teachers, staff, and students of Beck Middle School demonstrated that they will always be there when a family member asks for help. Officer Gary Cundiff found out that he was a very important part of that family, something he will surely never forget.

After giving Officer Cundiff the initial $2,500 the remaining $1,801.26 was sent to the Red Cross.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---