By NANCY HILER
Last year, while she was at Martin Avenue Elementary School in North Bellmore, Scoca spearheaded a program that helped hundreds of Long Island children in need. Fellow students at the school enthusiastically took part in the program, but it didn't start out that way.
No laughing matter
"They all laughed at the idea," Scoca recounted. In the spring of 2007, Scoca wrote a description of a program she learned about on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which sought donations of pajamas for children in need. Scoca chose to make the idea the topic of a speech that she hoped would earn her a spot on Martin Avenue's student council, called the MAC for Martin Avenue Cares. "To get into MAC, you had to write a speech about what you would do to help others," she said.
Scoca's teacher and longtime MAC adviser Susan Kahn-Wolk read the student council hopefuls' speeches anonymously, so that their ideas would be judged on their merits only. "I had written, 'Let's raise pajamas for this warm and fuzzy fundraiser,' and everyone started laughing," Scoca recalled.
"Now it sounds funny, but at the time I was so upset; I was humiliated," she said. Although Scoca did not win her spot on student council that day, eventually -- with a little prodding from Kahn-Wolk, who loved the idea -- children throughout the school came around and embraced the Pajama Program.
When red tape interfered with donating the pajamas to the official program that Oprah Winfrey touted, the youngster's mother, Nancy Scoca, suggested that the collected pajamas go to a local non-profit group, the Education & Assistance Corporation. The charity provides a variety of services to Long Island's homeless, abused and families in need, including children who are homeless and those in foster care.
"You don't realize these kids come into foster care with nothing," the young Scoca commented. "Many are abused, so they keep their clothes as evidence. When they see the pajamas, it makes such a difference."
Scoca's perseverance paid off. "The whole school really came together," she said. "We collected 300 pairs of pajamas and raised $870. Target and Wal-Mart donated gift cards, and we bought more pajamas. It all just took off." Scoca was ultimately named an honorary member of MAC because of her dedication and hard work.
Her efforts did not end there. Scoca also fundraised for Hewlett House, the 1 in 9 Long Island Breast Cancer Coalition, and the Freeport Animal Shelter. Today a seventh-grader, Scoca is an active participant in the Grand Avenue Middle School Tolerance Day program, and is working to continue the Pajama Program through the school's Builders' Club. (Anyone interested in helping this year's cause is asked to contact Scoca through this club.)
'Special young person'
The AFPLI's Leaders of Tomorrow award recognizes a special young person who has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments through volunteerism and philanthropic activities. Scoca was one of two recipients this year. The other was Nicholas Ferano of Baldwin, a cancer survivor who organized fundraisers for cancer research.
The youth award was added two years ago to AFPLI's lineup of distinguished awards for adults, which include Outstanding Philanthropist and Volunteer of the Year. Increasing numbers of young people were being nominated for surprising accomplishments, AFPLI Shari Peyser explained. "A special award just for these inspiring young people was created."
"I'm honored to be recognized, but it hasn't really hit me yet that I'm getting this award," Scoca said. "What has already hit me is that we helped 300 kids. If you even help one living person, that's a lot."
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