Sunday, January 19, 2025
At Calhoun High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, the Community Clubboard stands as a testament to the power of student leadership and service.
Since its founding in 2018, the Clubboard has supported the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard, a food pantry that provides essential resources to more than 145 local families. On average, 50 families rely on the cupboard’s services every two weeks. The pantry operates at the Brookside School in North Merrick, the district’s headquarters.
The Clubboard’s mission extends beyond providing food — it’s about creating a culture of giving, service and compassion that inspires others, according to its faculty adviser and Calhoun’s assistant principal, Mark Melkonian.
“The Clubboard organizes community-service events, markets initiatives and inspires younger students to continue its mission of positive community impact,” Melkonian said.
That mission is upheld by a dedicated group of 34 students, including leaders who are siblings of the founding members, ensuring the Clubboard’s sustainability.
Strength through community collaboration
The Clubboard thrives thanks to partnerships with organizations and individuals committed to making a difference. Local supporters such as the St. Barbara’s Philoptochos chapter at Merrick’s St. Demetrios Church, led by Patty Sarantakos, and the Merrick Community Nursery School, directed by Christine Cicero, have played crucial roles in organizing food drives and replenishing the pantry’s shelves.
Within Calhoun High School, the Clubboard collaborates with groups like the leadership classes and the National Honor Society to coordinate seasonal food drives, Valentine’s Day basket donations and other initiatives.
At the heart of the Clubboard’s success are its leaders, seniors Niko Sarantakos, Samantha Chaiken and Jack Gavnoudias, who have each made lasting contributions to the organization’s success.
Niko Sarantakos
Sarantakos has strengthened the partnership between the pantry and St. Barbara’s Philoptochos, a philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, leading food drives and ensuring consistent donations.
“By volunteering for the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard, I feel I am making a meaningful difference in the lives of people in my community who are experiencing hunger and insecurity concerning food,” Sarantakos said in a district press release. “Through my involvement, I had the opportunity to lead food drives, coordinate with donors, shop for supplies, stock shelves and collaborate with my peers to make a meaningful impact for our community. Volunteering for the cupboard has shown me how fortunate I am, and what a great feeling it is to be able to help other people.”
As he looks ahead to college, Sarantakos plans to continue his commitment to charitable organizations.
Samantha Chaiken
Chaiken has played a pivotal role in organizing food drives and volunteering at the pantry. Her leadership has brought students together to serve the community in meaningful ways.
“The community cupboard has given me more than I ever thought a club would,” she said in the same district release. “Doing service allows me to give back to those who deserve to have just as much as any other person in our community, and I’m able to send love by volunteering my time for just an hour, sometimes less, to change someone’s day. I’ve learned life lessons I will forever be grateful for, and I continue to do service beyond these four walls of Calhoun and in my life.”
Jack Gavnoudias
Gavnoudias has embraced a leadership role in the Clubboard, working to expand its impact. Alongside his peers, he has planned and executed food drives and other initiatives that support local families.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for helping those in need, and thought this would be an effective way of helping,” he said in a news release shared with the Herald. “Throughout the years, the Community Cupboard has taught me so much about not only the importance of community service, but also the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Volunteerism has proven to be very significant in the changing of people’s lives, which is why I believe that volunteering to help others is so important.”
Building a legacy
The Clubboard’s work extends beyond meeting immediate needs — it’s about fostering a legacy of empathy, leadership and positive change. As its members graduate and move on to new chapters of their lives, they leave behind a strong foundation for future students to build on.
Melkonian praised the leaders and members of the organization for their dedication and passion. “These students exemplify dedication, advocacy and leadership,” he said. “They have demonstrated the value of volunteerism and the profound impact of service, both within themselves and their community. Their leadership ensures the continued success of the Clubboard and the families it serves.”
