Middle Students Provide Raking Service for Local Non-Profit

COURT HOUSE – A dusting of snow coated the grass at the Caring for Kids’ office on East Mechanic Street in Cape May Court House. The grass was ready! In November, some service-minded and able-bodied students from Middle Township High School raked at the property.
Ten students representing the Key Club, Red Cross Club and Bible Club spent three hours on a sunny Saturday morning clearing leaves from the entire property. Wearing gloves to protect their hands, these charitable young men and women raked and raked and raked – gathering leaves from around the property and transporting them to the street for pick up the following week.
Over the course of three hours, the pile of leaves at the curb grew into a small mountain. After a brief jump into the leaf mountain, the gloves came off, the rakes were put away, and the accomplished teens enjoyed pizza and fellowship.
“MTHS Service Clubs have been fantastic partners with Caring for Kids for several years now.” says Caring for Kids’ Executive Director Joanne Hackett. “They are dependable, energetic, and willing to help in any way needed.” The students help with Group Connections – where families come together for a meal, education, and crafts. They assist at the annual Breakfast with Santa – helping children with crafts, wrap gifts for their parents, and acting as Santa’s helpers. Ms. Hackett adds, “Caring for Kids is extremely grateful for the support provided by these wonderful students and their Club Advisors.”  
With the generous support of an extensive network of volunteers, donors and partner agencies, Caring for Kids is able to achieve its mission and serve over 100 families per year. MTHS is a key part of that network.
Caring for Kids has been a 501c3 non-profit Parents as Teachers affiliate since 2003 (having evolved in the county since 1995.) Caring for Kids is committed to making a difference in the lives of our county’s children and families. Through community education and partnership, parenting classes, personalized in-home visitation and other concrete support, Caring for Kids seeks to engage the community and empower parents to build healthy, loving and productive families.
In October of 2015 the Parents as Teachers National Center awarded Caring for Kids with a national Quality Endorsement in recognition of their excellent program operations and services to families. This makes Caring for Kids the first Blue Ribbon PAT affiliate in New Jersey.