Red Cross honors school for Sandy relief

When the staff and students of Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County decided to collect holiday gifts for victims of Superstorm Sandy, the only reward they expected was the satisfaction that they had brightened Hanukka and Christmas for the recipients.

Nevertheless, the American Red Cross decided to honor the students with something more tangible. On Feb. 21, Ellen Korpar, the disaster services coordinator working out of the national relief agency’s Tinton Falls office, visited the Marlboro school to present a plaque recognizing the school’s outstanding performance on behalf of “victims of Superstorm Sandy and other disasters in Monmouth County.”

Korpar made the presentation to SSDS spokesperson Linda Glickstein and head of school Yoti Yarhi at a school assembly attended by well over 50 students.

Their participation in a drive organized by the Red Cross brought in enough toys, games, and backpacks to fill three vans and a box truck, according to Mike Grieco, who delivered the toys to the collection center.

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Grieco, who took part in the assembly, is a member of Freehold NJ Network for Success, a local organization that works to foster business and personal relationships. The group pitched in to help Sandy victims.

Korpar told NJJN the school’s plaque was the only one of its kind presented in connection with the autumn toy drive.