School raises $28K for Children’s Tumor Foundation
WARREN, NJ — When the Watchung Hills Regional High School Community latches on to a cause, its efforts surpass all expectations.
Earlier this year, the school adopted the Children’s Tumor Foundation as the beneficiary of its fundraising efforts for throughout the school year. The selection of the organization is close to the hearts of the school community as one of its own, Sandy Blumberg, suffers from neurofibromatosis.
The foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children living with neurofibromatosis. Neurofibromatosis covers three genetic disorders: NF1, NF2 and Schwannomatosis, which have a number of effects on the body including, skin spots, learning disabilities, tumors and bone abnormalities.
The kick-off fundraiser, a school-wide Penny War, sponsored by the sophomore class, brought in $28,600 for the organization alone. Over the course of several weeks, 144 first period classes battled to raise the most money for the foundation. The winning class, Michael Gangluff’s science course, raised more than $4,000 and was treated to a breakfast.
“It’s such a surprise,” Special Services department teacher Bonnie Quigley said. “They raised more than anything we expected. Sandy is so happy and so excited.”
Other fundraisers for the foundation are on the horizon. Each grade level will be holding an event to honor Blumberg and raise money for the organization. The freshman class plans to create and sell customized T-shirts for participants of Sandy’s NF Walk-a-thon to be held in the spring.
Members of the junior class are designing and selling cutouts of race cars for $1 each. The cars will be posted around the halls with the donor’s name in conjunction with January’s Daytona Race4Research and the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, which will both raise funds for the foundation. If the school raises more than $10,000 its logo will be placed on the race car.
Camouflaged bracelets in the school’s colors are being sold by the senior class. The class ran out of its first 1,000 bracelets and a second shipment is on order.
Contributions earmarked for the Children’s Tumor Foundation may be made out to Watchung Hills Regional High School, and sent attention to Bonnie Quigley, 108 Stirling Road, Warren, NJ 07059.
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