Rising Stars Scholars/basketball players have been volunteering their time on freezing Saturday nights to distribute food and supplies to the homeless in NYC. The kids said that working with The Homeless Bus was a humbling experience that taught them to never take anything for granted!

When I started to feed the homeless it was a shock to me. I didn’t know there was so much people out in the streets that was like that. You could tell in the people’s eyes how hungry they were. The people was so thankful for everything that they got it was amazing to see how people could be so happy receiving something like that. But overall the experience was great for me and I would like to thank the rising stars program for giving me that experience.

-Isiaha D.

What I did last week has meant a lot to me. I gave the homeless goods that will please their needs. It was a great feeling to know I was helping someone that really needed it. It was great to know that I made someone’s day.

-Kayden

Yesterday I volunteered with the Homeless Bus, Inc. along with my fellow Rising Stars peers we helped distribute sardines, bagels, oranges, toiletry’s, socks, and books. The experience I had last night really helped put into perspective how blessed and fortunate I am. It gave me a view on how unfair the world can really be. Seeing all the people in need of help last night emphasized how doing the little things like handing out bags of goods can make a real difference. Growing as an individual, I truly learned the difference between a need and a want. Every day I can live a great life because I have all the tools to succeed and although I might want a new ball or new shoes it doesn’t compare to the people we were serving last night who needed the goods we were distributing.

-Nico

Feeding the homeless was a humbling experience. To know that people are living rough taught me that to never take anything for granted. What got to me was that I saw people that looked around my age on that line and I feel like nobody should go through that.

-Omar

Feeding the Homeless was a great experience. It made me feel good to be able to put smiles on people’s faces . It opened my heart to want to help others again. Feeding the homeless also opened my eye to the fact that people really do struggle and it’s important that those who can help , do.  Helping them also inspired me to look for more ways to help others and I would love to help others in need again.

-Cherish

 

The homeless bus was a very eye-opening experience. I know that a lot of people are homeless but seeing it in person made a huge difference. I realize now how blessed I am to have so many people there to support me and keep me on the right track. Helping provide food and other necessities that they don’t have and watching the smiles that came afterwards made me really happy. 

-Autumn

At the homeless bus I learned many valuable life lessons. At the event, I learned that you should never take anything for granted because their are people who are in worse positions. 

I met some amazing people named Miami and his assistant. They help the homeless because they want to, and I admire them for that. I would like to then the homeless bus and Rising Stars for the great event.

-Jonathan

 

Rising Stars was founded by Paul Savramis in the early 1980’s as a series of summer camps but has since been on a 20-year journey of changing the lives of countless youths and their families.

Mr. Savramis created Rising Stars in response to the need for a yearly program that mirrored the philosophy of his previously accomplished summer camp series. In 1996, the program became a non-for-profit youth foundation with the summer camps and clinics as mainstay programs. To learn more about them, please visit: http://risingstarsyouthfoundation.com/about/

 

The homeless bus event taught me that their are people much less fortunate than yourself, and struggle everyday to acquire life’s daily needs. Also, when you are put in a difficult situation, remember that someone else has it worse, so just stay optimistic.

 

  During the event, I met a man named Miami, and his assist. They were incredible people whose hearts are filled with love because they take their own time to help the needy. They are great role models, and clear examples of great people. They live their lives for others and not just for themselves.

 

  I would like to thank Rising Stars, and the homeless bus for allowing me to be apart of such a healthy and enriching environment.

-AJ

 

During my time at the homeless bus I realized how many people needed help. These people were so happy to receive this little food. They thanked each of the kids in charge of the stations. This was a good feeling to have by helping out people in need and giving back to the community. At the end the person In charge of the bus also thanked us. They said this would be impossible to do if they didn’t have any help. I would like to eventually do this again it felt good to help out people in need.

-Ryan

Main Street School students participated in a variety of jump rope challenges as part of the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program during Heart Healthy Week from Feb. 12-16. The program’s activities were designed to empower them to improve their health and encourage them to raise money for people with heart issues.

During their physical education classes, the students participated in individual short rope jumping, long rope jumping and partner jumping, among other activities.

“They showed persistence as they tried to break their own personal records and find their place on the MSS Jump Rope Wall of Fame,” physical education teacher Laura Shaw said. “They also worked together in a variety of long rope challenges as they tried to jump with one, two or three jumpers in the long ropes at once.”

Shaw said she talked to her students about preventing heart disease and the importance of exercise, healthy eating and hydration.

“In addition, the students have the opportunity to be global citizens and fundraise to help the American Heart Association,” she said. “The American Heart Association uses these funds for research and training programs. It is a really great program for our students to take part in.”

This year, Main Street School Students raised more than $7,000 for the American Heart Association. And over the last three years, the school has raised a total of more than $16,000.

“Thanks to all Main Street School families for generously supporting the student-jumpers in raising money for such an important cause,” Principal Joyce Chapnick said. 

 

Photo Captions: 

 

Photo 1: Main Street School physical education teacher Laura Shaw pictured with students who participated in a variety of jump rope challenges as part of the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program.

Photos 2-3: Main Street School students participated in a variety of jump rope challenges as part of the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program.

 

Photos courtesy of the Irvington Union Free School District

Students at Rushmore Avenue School in the Carle Place School District participated in the annual Jump Rope for Heart campaign, raising more than $19,000 to donate to the American Heart Association.

The event, led by Rob Abend and Jennifer Yannacone and assisted by PTA volunteer Ms. Kang, taught students about the importance of maintaining a physical lifestyle and participating in charitable endeavors.

 

Photo caption: 1-2: Rushmore Avenue School’s Jump Rope for Heart campaign.

 

Photos courtesy of Carle Place School District

Bowdoin senior forward Camil Blanchet has a lot on his plate while at school. He played every men’s hockey game this season for the Polar Bears, and had been playing lacrosse as well.

Statistically speaking, Blanchet’s contributions have been modest on the ice. He tallied 32 points over 85 career games, and only broke double-digit points in one season with 13 as a sophomore. After that same year, he left the lacrosse team, having appeared in a mere nine games and scooped up nine ground balls.

But besides the rigors of playing a sport and being a full-time student, Blanchet has been very active doing charity work in his community. That constant overtime presence has had a can’t-miss impact. To that point, Blanchet is one of five finalists for the 2018 Hockey Humanitarian Award.

Name a Bowdoin-sanctioned service project, and chances are Blanchet has taken part. His leadership qualities have manifested themselves through his liaising role between the campus’ community-service office and his peers. He has allies with the Polar Bears football team to raise funds for cancer research. And he enlisted hockey roster-sized groups of volunteers for a multi-charity half-marathon (Race the Runway) and a leadership training program (Breaking the Bubble).

The McKeen Common Good Center sees Blanchet’s shadow at a rate that rivals any classroom or athletic facility on campus. McKeen helps students connect with the community of Brunswick, Maine, and encourages them to volunteer and help the relationship between the school and the town.

Blanchet was drawn to this aspect of the Bowdoin experience when he was a candidate for admission. And now that all of his competitive athletic endeavors are behind him, community involvement will join his studies as the one aspect that will fill every week of his tenure there.

Pucks and Recreation recently got the chance to speak with Blanchet about his charity work.

How and when did you first hear about the McKeen Common Good Center? 

In my application to Bowdoin, one of the essays explained the history of the McKeen Center and what they currently do. One of the first big events of the school year isn’t a football game, it’s Common Good Day. This is a day when over 500 students, faculty and staff participate in community building activities around the greater Brunswick area one Saturday afternoon. That was my first direct interaction with the McKeen Center.

What was the fundraiser you worked on with the football team?

The football team was selling neon pink, long-sleeve shirts in a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. A group of representatives from the Breaking the Bubble initiative wanted to expand the fundraiser and have our respective teammates participate. It was pretty easy to order more shirts. The football team raised the majority of the final donation. Getting other teams involved and supporting the fundraiser was a cool thing to see.

 

TO READ MORE PLEASE VISIT: http://pucksandrecreation.com/camil-blanchet-big-impact-small-campus/

Tigers forward earns AUS community service award

He has also been active with Tigers basketball camps, working with elementary, junior high and high school students.
Stammberger was also a first-team all-star. He was joined by conference MVP Javon Masters (UNB), defensive player of the year Erik Nissen (Acadia), Kemar Alleyne (Saint Mary’s) and Alex Carson (Dalhousie).
UPEI Panthers guard Moshe Wadley made the all-rookie team after averaging eight points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. UNB’s Brent Baker was named coach of the year.

 

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/sports/other-sports/stammberger-recognized-for-efforts-on-off-court-189670/