Schools

Giving Buddies Give Big to Best Buddies

Already involved in North Branford High School's Best Buddies club, the president and vice president are raising money for their club through the Student Council's Big Give.

Team Name: The Giving Buddies

Team Members: Jenna Simmons and Emilyann Polzella

Charity: Best Buddies

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Junior Jenna Simmons and senior Emilyann Polzella were excited about ’s Student Council’s for many reasons. In addition to giving back through community service, the pair knew they wanted to help out another favorite club.

“I’m the president and Emilyann is the secretary of our school’s chapter of Best Buddies,” said Simmons. “The whole message of the club is to become friends with those intellectually and developmentally disabled. We’re interested in the message–the unity and equality of whole program.”

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They named their Big Give team the Giving Buddies and set a fundraising goal of $1,500. With such a high goal, the girls have been busy hosting a variety of fundraisers.

The Giving Buddies held a pasta dinner on Jan. 27 and with the support from Best Buddies advisor Kathleen Mezerewski and fellow club members, Simmons said they had a “good turnout.”

On Jan. 28, the girls spent the day collecting donations outside of Stop&Shop and, despite the cold, had a successful day. They repeated the .

This was not the first time Polzella was involved in the as she also participated as a sophomore. Simmons, however, just joined Student Council this year, but is excited to be a part of the Big Give. She is also happy that their fundraising efforts will benefit a club the pair is so involved with.

“We have a close-knit town and I’ve heard from a lot of people that we always give back so being a part of the Big Give gives kids an opportunity to step up and give back as well,” said Simmons. “The money we raise for our chapter will go toward events we take part in–the club hosts events every month and it’s nice to be able to pay for our members to take part in these things.”

To donate to the Giving Buddies, contact Jenna Simmons at 203-500-5946 or jsimmonsx3@gmail.com.


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