Amity Regional High School is Grand-Prize Winner In Optimum 'Charity Champions'

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, State Representative Themis Klarides and Woodbridge First Selectman Ellen Scalettar Recognize Students for Their Commitment; School Presented with $5000 for THP Project Purple Initiative

Optimum Community recognized student members of the Community Action Club at Amity Regional High School today as the Connecticut grand-prize winners in this year’s Charity Champions, a program that promotes volunteerism and encourages area high schools to raise funds for a charity of their choice.

The school was presented with $5,000 to be donated to THP Project Purple Initiative, a national anti-substance abuse initiative of The Herren Project, launched to break the stigma of addiction and bring awareness to the dangers of substance abuse.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, State Representative Themis Klarides and Woodbridge First Selectman Ellen Scalettar also participated in the event.

Following welcoming remarks from school officials and Optimum Community emcee Kerry Donovan, Community Action Club Advisor Amy Miller and President Jake Milner spoke about the mission of the club and their fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Senator Blumenthal then congratulated students on their success and spoke about the importance of community service. Representative Klarides and First Selectman Scalettar also spoke to the students. Herren Project President Kevin Mikolazyk and Representative Jenny Swider both thanked the students for their hard work and commitment to their charity and were presented with a $5,000 check.

Regarding their fundraising efforts, the students focused their efforts on one main project – a school-wide “March Madness” event that featured teachers participating in basketball contests, including knockout and dribbling skills contests. They chose a basketball event to honor Chris Herren’s past as a talented player who made it to the NBA and squandered his potential due to his struggle with substance abuse and addiction.

Teachers and Community Action Club members wore purple t-shirts designed by students in the club and donated by a local printer and sold wristbands. The student body learned about the event through a PSA written by the club members that aired a few weeks prior to the event.

“Amity students deserve praise and gratitude for their dedication and motivation on behalf of The Herren Project and efforts to end substance abuse – a pervasive and significant problem that warrants urgent attention,” Blumenthal said. “Thanks to the efforts of organizations like THP and Amity students, more people are getting the help they need. I applaud Optimum Community and its Charity Champions program for encouraging youth civic engagement and their commitment to supporting vital community organizations.”

Cablevision Vice President of Public Affairs, Jennifer Ostrager, said the Optimum community congratulates all of the students at the high school who participated in the program, and for being named the grand-prize winner for the state.

“Thanks to your hard work and motivation, you came out on top,” Ostrager said. “For the sixth year, we are pleased to bring this program that offers young people an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in other people’s lives to the schools in the areas we serve.”

Optimum Community has brought its Charity Champions program to high schools within its service footprint for six years. Selected schools received $500 in seed money to put towards fundraising efforts, in addition to a $1,000 donation to their charity of choice. Throughout the school year, students raised money and awareness for their selected charity and submitted a summary of fundraising results in April 2015. Schools compete against each other and a grand prize winner in each of the six tri-state regions that Optimum serves will receive an additional $5,000 for their charity in June 2015.

State Representative Klarides said, “You are all terrific role models for other young people and it is heartwarming to see such enthusiasm and spirit. Your charitable efforts have helped provide THP with additional support. I thank Optimum Community for bringing this program to the students in our area.”