Students volunteered over 2,500 hours of service throughout the school year
Twenty-one Livingston High School students received varsity letters from United Way of Northern New Jersey in June for volunteering more than 2,500 hours throughout the school year to help improve the lives of elderly neighbors, children, animals, individuals with disabilities, and those struggling financially.
This is the second year that Livingston High School has participated in the United Way Varsity Letter program.
A total of 56 Livingston High students took part in the program, with those completing 80 or more hours of community service work being honored with a varsity letter. Students volunteered in food drives and at food pantries, assisted with Hurricane Ida clean-up, recorded stories for early learners, provided free tax preparation for low-income filers, volunteered with a back-to-school supply drive, and helped with holiday gift drives, among other activities in their communities.
“It is so inspiring to see the abundance of ways that our students got involved in the community this school year,” said Livingston High School English teacher and Service Club Advisor Andrew Nelson. “With many demands on our students' time, this program not only recognizes the hours of service that students are already doing, but also helps to promote a culture that values this service across our school community.”
As part of the 80 hours of service work, United Way asks students to dedicate at least 18 of their hours to focus on helping those who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty.
Returning participants Siddesh Kumar and Elizabeth Hua volunteered at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, as well as United Way programs such as Book Buddies, a program where volunteers record themselves reading a children’s book that children can watch at home.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at events that help ALICE families due to what it truly means and the impact I am able to make on communities,” said Kumar.
“I hope that through my efforts, someone has smiled just a little bit brighter,” said Hua.
“We are proud of the Livingston High School students for their dedication to their volunteerism and for helping ALICE,” said United Way Director of Community Relations Rose Twombly. “In just two years, these student leaders have made a lasting impact in their communities.”
The following students received varsity letters: senior Natalie Silberman; juniors Aishanee Acharyya, Rishab Bamzai, Anusha Bansal (varsity letter student representative), Atiksh Kotikalapudi, Siddhesh Kumar, Adin Kurtz, Daniel Levine, Adarsh Patel, Maya Trojian, Chelsea Yang, and David Zoller; sophomores Taylor Dannis, Elizabeth Hua, Madelyn Lee, Kristen Ngai, Renee Ngai, and Radhika Patel; and freshmen Kaitlyn Chao, Jocelyn Chen, and Ava Thomas.
For more information about how to get involved with United Way Varsity Letter, email Rose.Twombly@UnitedWayNNJ.org