By Laura Lane
Mueller and Olkoski knew they had to help. "New Orleans is close to my heart," said Mueller. "I worked at the Bayou and went down there every year for the Jazz festival, so it broke my heart to see what happened."
Olkoski spent hours on the Internet, searching for a worthy cause. She discovered Do Something, a non-profit organization committed to encouraging community service among young people. Do Something encouraged young people from throughout the country to become a part of the "We've Got Your Back" program, designed to ship backpacks filled with new school supplies and personal items to Ponchatoula High School in Louisiana.
Mueller and Olkoski thought the non-profit organization had a great idea, and contacted them, agreeing to make their restaurant a collection site. "People have dropped off things from Queens, Jamesport and Westchester," said Mueller. "The backpacks are coming in by the hundreds. And kids are involved in their schools to collect the items, too."
Calhoun's student government president, Samantha Caravello, 17, organized a drive at her high school. "I'd volunteered at Do Something last summer, and now I'm part of their youth council," said Caravello. "I'm so glad I'm involved with the organization."
Mueller and Olkoski hadn't thought about involving area schools. "Samantha was the first phone call I received from a school. I had originally thought of reaching out to customers," said Mueller. "Samantha was also the only teenager who called and wanted to be involved."
Caravello put up posters at her school encouraging her classmates to get involved. After meeting with Principal David Seinfeld, she received permission to make announcements, too. "I ended up collecting around 25 to 30 backpacks and a lot of school supplies, too, which we stored in the school's garage," said Caravello. "Being involved in this shows me that kids can make a difference. The kids from Calhoun gave a great response."
Mueller said people have been so generous that the donations had to be stored in a friend's warehouse in Freeport. She has already mailed 100 backpacks and is planning to mail many more soon. "We spent over $500 to ship the backpacks, and UPS wouldn't give us a break," said Mueller. "We're planning to get a truck to go down there next time, but that will cost us around $2,500."
Trying to get that cash together, Mueller appealed to people at the Merrick Chamber of Commerce's Fall Festival for donations. Two days later, 6-year-old Jake Schichko stopped by the restaurant. "He had a little ball of money in his hand and said the money was to help send the backpacks to the kids," said Mueller. "He had collected $102 when he sold lemonade at a yard sale."
Mueller is amazed at how generous people have been, and she is certain she'll pull the money together to send the backpacks to Louisiana soon. "Every day someone calls to say they have more, and we're not saying no to anyone," said Mueller. "Anyone who has anything and wants it mailed, we'll get it there -- sheets, towels, medical supplies, food, hand cream. These people are living in tents. They have nothing."
To donate for the shipping of supplies, to contribute more supplies or to obtain information, call Margaret Mueller at (516) 378-7177.
Comments about this story? LLane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
