Students donate baby-care products to food pantries Teddy Bear's Closet shows students cost of having a baby BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer SCOTT PILLING staff Anna Genovese (l-r) and Nora Aly, both seniors at Woodbridge High School and members of the International Culture Club, stand near the baby products the club collected for the "Teddy Bear's Closet" program. WOODBRIDGE - A variety of baby-care products were sent on their way last week to help families throughout the township in need of the products for their newborns or toddlers. The 40 students in the International Culture Club (ICC) at Woodbridge High School gathered boxes of Gerber baby food jars, different brands of disposable baby diapers, baby wipes, bottles, pacifiers and baby clothes over a two-month period. Students set up collection bags in each homeroom as part of the "Teddy Bear's Closet" project, which collects donations of essential baby-care products, which are not usually donated to food pantries. The items were set to the St. Cecelia's local pantry in Iselin on Feb. 8. "Baby products are among the most expensive items in a family's budget," said Mayor John E. McCormac. "Teddy Bear's Closet helps township families obtain much-needed baby-care products and items while, at the same time, provides an opportunity for high school students and their teacher-mentors to organize a program that benefits dozens of families and infants throughout the township." SCOTT PILLING staff Members of the International Culture Club at Woodbridge High School help load the baby products they collected as part of the "Teddy Bear's Closet" program. The Mayor's Advisory Committee coordinates the project. "We have been very fortunate to enlist the aid of dedicated Woodbridge High School students in spreading the word and picking up donations," said Terry Sharkey, chairman of the advisory committee. International Culture Club Class Adviser Tina Provenzano and her students were joined by McCormac and the Mayor's Advisory Committee as the mayor officially accepted the baby supplies and child-care products on Feb. 8 in the high school cafeteria. "It's great news that you are helping the families whom are less privileged," said McCormac to the 40 or so International Culture Club students. "There's a lot of students out there like you, and I hope you stay involved because it's a great experience for a great project." Provenzano, who has been the class adviser of the club since fall 2000, said over the past five years, the students have collected over 800 baby products. "We have embraced this project as our own," she said. "I am very proud of my students, and without the wonderful effort among the students and the Mayor's Advisory Committee this wouldn't be as successful. It shows how connected the community is as a whole." Provenzano said the drive is a great learning experience for her students. "They are so caring and have big spirits," she said. "They have learned how expensive and difficult it is to raise a child." Anna Genovese and Nora Aly - co-presidents of the culture club this year - and Kelly Mahon, secretary, said they do the project every year because they want these infants and toddlers to have a better life. "It's not always about material things," said Genovese. Joanne Bulla, who has since passed away, was the vice chairwoman on the Mayor's Advisory Committee under then-Mayor Frank G. Pelzman, who died June 29, 2006. She was the one who spearheaded the "Teddy Bear's Closet" project as part of the township's major project for the National Make a Difference Day, which falls on Oct. 26. Make A Difference is a 501-c3 nonprofit organization that mobilizes volunteers, develops and manages innovative programs and cultivates service leaders to create strong and vibrant communities. "Joanne focused on baby projects because she thought they were so beneficial," said Sharkey. "Her husband also focused on social concerns." In 2000, Caroline Stankiewcz saw the township's project "Teddy Bear's Closet" on the Make A Difference national Web site and brought it to the attention of her fellow ICC students. "That's how we started to help with the project," said Provenzano. "It has really grown with the kids. We are all very connected to help the community.