by Diane Balint

The Interact Club played Santa this holiday season as members collected donated toys leading up to the holidays. All of the toys were donated to David’s Touch, based in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

David’s Touch was brought to the school’s attention thanks to Mr. Lottmann, who spearheaded a similar fundraising effort last year, while principal of Fords Middle School. Lottmann introduced the organization to the WHS Interact Club’s advisors, Ms. Clarke and Ms. Sacco.

The David’s Touch organization started with a boy named David who, according to the group’s Facebook page, was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease hours after his birth. At eight years old, David was diagnosed with lymphoma, and passed away in February of 2005.

In David’s memory, the organization collects donated toys and brings them to hospitalized children who are not home for the holidays. The non-profit organization’s mission statement says it all. “The mission at David’s Touch is to spread David’s contagious smile by delivering hope and joy to children at their greatest time of need.”

The Interact Club was happy to take part in this fundraiser, especially since they had the opportunity to help children and families during the holiday season.

Throughout the school, the club advertised for David’s Touch by emailing all the staff members, as well as promoting the fundraiser at all faculty meetings. Along with their students, they put together a small video with the organization’s purpose, and used social media to get the word out about the fundraiser.

Despite their efforts, at the beginning of the toy collection, there were only a few boxes filled. “I wasn’t so sure at the start. I knew the holidays can be a tough time for people,” said Ms. Clarke, the club’s co-advisor.

However, when the fundraiser came to a close, there was an outpouring of toys, totalling 25 filled boxes. “It was really amazing to see how many toys we did end up donating,” said Ms. Clarke. All of the toys were picked up, and later donated by David’s mother, Jenny Perez-Rosado, co-founder and president of the organization.

The Interact Club takes part in many fundraising activities throughout the year at WHS and around the local community. This was the first time the club took part in this fundraiser, and they look forward to participating again next year with hopes to begin the fundraising earlier.

“We’d have to thank the faculty, staff and students for that […] huge outpouring of toys,” said Ms. Clarke.

In the upcoming months, the Interact Club also plans to promote the Relay for Life around WHS.