Packing up inspiration BMPRSS Student Council helps Lifting Up Westchester

Packing up inspiration

The cold temperatures prevented outdoor recess from taking place, but it was perfect conditions for a special project done by the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School members of the Student Council. The atmospheric conditions allowed them to take the time to help Lifting Up Westchester, a White Plains-based non-profit who works with the homeless population.

The Student Council had organized a school-wide collection of snack foods that will be donated to the group for their after-school program for students. During their lunch period on this cold day more than 70 council members decorated small paper bags with positive messages and colorful designs before filling them with the donated snacks.

“May your day be as sweet as candy,” and “You are amazing,” are the messages Stella A. wrote on the bag she was decorating.

“It’s a fun opportunity to help people,” she said about this project.

The Student Council consists of 72 fifth graders who work together on community service projects. This year the group hosted a food drive just before Thanksgiving and they collected toys around the holidays to be donated to Toys for Tots. The group also assists with their school’s Friendly Fridge, a cart in the cafeteria that students can leave unopened snacks they did not eat during lunch, which are then donated to those in need. They have also organized a “Spirit Week” for their school and hope to do another soon and have assisted teachers in their classrooms.

“This student council project stands out because it extends beyond our school walls to support the broader community. Our student council members help so much within the school community, so this project is extra special in creating a meaningful impact beyond our usual efforts,” said council coordinator Katarina Pumarejo of the Snack Pack project.

“I like helping people and I wanted to do something good,” Cara L. said as to why she joined the Student Council.

“I think it’s a very nice thing to do for other people,” Cara said of writing the special messages on the snack bags. “I really like being a part of it.”

Reese W. said she wrote on the bag that she was decorating, “Anything is possible with a little sunshine and love.”

“It’s fun because it sends a nice, positive message to kids in need,” Reese said of this activity.

For Skylar K., the Snack Pack project, not only helped others, but was a creative endeavor for council members.

“I like to color, so it’s really fun for me,” she said.