• BHC Counselor:Tammy DeCesare
• Students:
  Amy Akay, Ben Alfieri, Jacob Baldanza, Rebecca Barrett, Raymond Brandefine, Sean Brennan, Drew Clark, Joshua Colon, Fernando Cova-Gomez, Destine Culpepper, Giana De Rosa, Colin Decker, Garrett Decker, Alexander DeRyke, Vincent Ferraro, Johnny Garcia, Yadhira Garcia, Aleah Germinario, Steven Harris, Jack Houseworth, Erich King, Jesse Londino, Shane Lyden, Scott Manning, Hannah Marie Vince, Vincenzo Mastanduno, Aidan Milici, Luke Negrin, Erik Nina, Taylor Paris, Vincent Park, Angie Paz, Sydney Riker, Jessica Riley, Valentino Rolle, Juliette Ross, Jordyn Rush, Logan Rush, Eric Schultz, Eric Sheehan, Payton Shultz, Ryan Spadafina, Gabrielle Thompson, Mia Touw, Michael Webbe

• School Name:Walnut Ridge Primary School
• CBO/Program Name:Kids Educational Enrichment Program (KEEP), Inc.       
• Location:Vernon, New Jersey
• Grades:Kindergarten and First Grade

How was your year?
After learning about healthy eating, students at Walnut Ridge developed many favorite healthy activities. Specifically, student’s enjoyed experiencing different foods, especially fruits. Students also quite enjoyed doing service. Making the Thank You cards for the NJA3 MLK event helped the children understand that there are many people in their lives that helped keep them healthy. Students also invited the Vernon Senior Club to NJA3 KEEP for Global Youth Service Day where students read self written books, and shared healthy snacks. The final service learning project was called “Taking Steps to Stomp Out Hunger.” Before the event, students went on a field trip to the local food pantry and learned about the need in the community and the importance of helping others. Each student then received a pedometer and was able to count their steps as they walked around the school. Family and friends gave pledges to the students and donations were collected for the food pantry. Wal-Mart also made a donation in honor of the students’ efforts and accomplishments. Once the event was over, students donated the money they raised to help support the food pantry in their effort to get healthy foods to those in need.

Community Partners

Wal-Mart,  Stop&Shop, Party City, St. Francis de Sales Food Pantry
Student Volunteers, especially Zachary Diaz

Special Thanks
Arlene Hill and Catherine Moore of St. Francis de Sales Food Pantry/ Walmart, Franklin, NJ, Mrs. Pauline Anderson, Walnut Ridge Principal NJA3 staff, parents and volunteers.