Volunteering is a big part of Russell Bauer’s life. Bauer is an EMT for the Tabernacle Rescue Squad and is also an Eagle Scout. Last November, the Tabernacle community was in mourning after 44-year-old mother Jeaninne LePage shot her three children before turning the gun on herself.
To help the community heal, Bauer organized a dinner to honor first responders in the township.
“Stepping up to the plate was Russell Bauer,” Seneca Principal Jeff Spector said. “He said ‘why don’t we recognize the volunteers?’”
Tabernacle’s first responders were recognized for their efforts in December. In turn, Bauer was one of four students recognized last Wednesday.
The Lenape Regional High School District honored one student from each of its high schools as part of its annual volunteer recognition night at last Wednesday’s board of education meeting. Each May, the board holds this special ceremony to honor one student from each high school chosen for the Student Volunteer Award.
Director of programs and planning Chris Heilig said the district decided to put a focus on promoting volunteerism within the school when constructing a long-range plan about six years ago. Part of the plan included the annual student volunteer awards, an intensive nomination and selection process where a committee from each school reads through resumes, profiles and applications to select one winner each.
Cherokee winner Gianna Thornton is the epitome of an involved volunteer. She has registered more than 1,000 hours of service during her high school career and has helped organize a Stockings for Kids fundraiser for the last five years. Cherokee Principal Donna Charlesworth said Thornton’s resilience and positive attitude were a big reason she was selected.
Thornton was excited when she learned she was chosen. She doesn’t just volunteer because it’s the right thing to do. She likes to volunteer because it’s fun.
“I think it’s cool because you can make people happy, and it’s rewarding to yourself, too,” Thornton said.
In some cases, volunteering runs in the family. Shawnee winner Catherine O’Rorke is the second person in her family selected for the Student Volunteer Award. Her brother Matthew was selected in 2013.
“In her essay, Caty talked about how volunteerism is in her blood,” Shawnee Principal Matthew Campbell said.
Catherine earned the award through the many food and collection drives she has run for the Food Bank of Southern New Jersey, Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge and Paws Farm. A member of the dance team, O’Rorke also teaches dance to younger children in her free time.
Jacob Demree, the student volunteer of the year from Lenape, has volunteered in many organizations from churches to homeless shelters. This year, he played a key role in organizing a National Honor Society lawn cleanup at Holiday Village.
Volunteering himself is not enough for Demree. Part of his mission is to get as many of his peers involved as he can.
“You definitely have to volunteer,” Demree said. “It’s a choice in which you live your life.”
All award recipients plan to continue volunteering when they head off to college next fall. Each also encourages their fellow peers in the school community to continue volunteering themselves.
“Go out and give it a shot,” Bauer said. “Volunteering is very fun.”
