Garden City Teen Organizes Fundraiser for Special Needs Camp

Garden City resident and Kellenberg senior Christina DiMasso, along with Kellenberg junior Brendan Callahan, coordinated a walk-a-thon this month to benefit Camp Anchor, a year-round recreation program dedicated to citizens with both mental and physical handicaps.

Both students work at the camp.

"I did this because Camp Anchor has been so great for my brother, Thomas, who struggles with autism. I have also grown so much through volunteering there these past three summers," Callahan said.

DiMasso added, "I was so grateful for the chance to help give back to such an incredible organization and the amazing people who compose it. It took a lot of hard work but we were so motivated by our passion and love for this camp."

Approximately 300 people registered for the Nov. 3 fundraiser. Participants consisted of Kellenberg students and faculty and Anchor staff, volunteers and campers, as well as students from other neighboring high schools, such as Chaminade and Sacred Heart.

Students who are members of both the Kellenberg and Anchor family volunteered their time face-painting, handing out food and water and supervising games such as bean bag toss and "Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin."

Hicks Nursery donated a pumpkin patch, music was played throughout the day thanks to DJ Stephen Parrinello and the football field was filled with Kellenberg students who danced with disabled children and teens.

The walk-a-thon raised approximately $9,000.

Submitted by Kellenberg Memorial High School