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Organized by members of the Habitat for Humanity Club at the high school, the students raised a total of $600.
“It’s one of the few events that brings together high school and elementary school students and it helps them connect,” said social studies teacher Chris Doyle, who advises the club with math teacher Zhanna Cabrera. “The students learned the value of being involved in their local community. There are many challenges just a half-mile away from the front door of the Bronxville School, and they can make an impact.”
Doyle said the elementary school children who attended the fundraiser were asked to make a small donation in order to participate. The money, which will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Westchester this month, will go toward supplies for building homes for low-income residents in the area.
Habitat for Humanity Club Co-President Caroline Colavita, a senior, said she enjoyed the opportunity to organize the Gingerbread House Making fundraiser, which provided hands-on activities for the younger students. “The most rewarding part was seeing the kids build the gingerbread houses, because they got excited to see the finished product,” she said. “That’s exactly how we feel when we build houses in real life.”
Fellow senior and club Co-President Jeanne Chrisanthopoulos said building the gingerbread houses was symbolic of what the club does in the community. “We’re helping the next generation follow in our footsteps,” she said.
Over the last decade, the high school club has raised about $15,000 for Habitat for Humanity. In addition to annual fundraisers, the students are involved in clearing rubble, knocking down walls, moving materials and building actual homes. Last year, they helped build homes for veterans in Yonkers. This year, they have already built two homes and are working on their third house in Yonkers.
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