Thank You, Franklin Elementary School Students!

Sixth grade students Ian Hachey, Jason Garfield, Ryan Smith and Abhisheck Patel recently spent hours selling fresh baked goods to Franklin Elementary students, faculty, staff and parents and donated the proceeds to local non-profit agency Project Self-Sufficiency.  The group organized the effort in conjunction with the elementary school’s GREAT program, a gang and violence prevention program built around school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curricula.  The Program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership for children in the years immediately before the prime ages for introduction into gangs and delinquent behavior.    Project Self-Sufficiency offers a host of programs for low-income families to help them along the path to economic self-sufficiency.

“A requirement of the GREAT program is a community service project.  Sixth grade students Ian Hachey, Jason Garfield, Ryan Smith and Abhisheck Patel decided to hold a bake sale with the proceeds benefiting Project Self-Sufficiency,” noted Franklin Elementary School Principal Dr. Patricia Pfiel.  “Through their efforts, they were able to donate $117.00 to this worthy cause.”

The boys selected Project Self-Sufficiency to receive the funds based on careful research of local non-profit organizations, explained Michelle Hachey, parent of bake sale participant Ian Hachey.  The boys set up a table outside of the school and spent three hours selling brownies, cupcakes, cookies and fudge to fellow students, their parents and faculty members.  “Franklin Elementary School is a walking and carpool district,” explained Michelle.  “Most parents walk and pick up their kids.  There were also a lot of kids who were there that day for afterschool activities.”

“Project Self-Sufficiency is delighted to receive this donation from this wonderful group of young men who recognized a need in their community and became involved in helping others at such a young age,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Our agency relies on the contributions of individuals, organizations and corporations to provide necessary services to low-income families in Sussex, Warren, Morris and Hunterdon counties.  This donation will ensure that a member of our community is helped along the path to economic self-sufficiency.”