By Brian Zanzonico
"I knew I wanted this, but I didn't know how quickly the community would respond," said Carey teacher Bart Badalucco. "The kids are creatively finding ways to help."
For two weeks after Hurricane Rita slammed through Texas and the Louisiana coast, Badalucco oversaw an American Red Cross Disaster Relief feeding operation that prepared and served 14,000 meals a day to relief workers and residents of Orange, Texas, who decided to remain in their homes. He soon found that the residents needed more than disaster relief. Of the 19,000 residents living in Orange, Texas, about 20.5 percent of families live under the poverty line. School children are in need of supplies and school uniforms. Poor Orange churches sustained damage from the storm they cannot afford to fix. After meeting with Orange school administrators and clergy, Badalucco returned to New York with the hope of raising money for Orange, and Orange-Aid was born.
After meeting with the presidents of Carey's school clubs and every class government, it started to come together. Cheerleaders donated a basket of school supplies and the PTA raised money at Bingo Night. For one dollar, donors can write their names on a slip of paper declaring "I Squeezed Out a Buck for Orange-Aid," which will be displayed outside the main office. For two dollars, donors receive the orange band. A $20 donation will be earmarked for a Wal-Mart or Home Depot gift cards. On Sundays Nov. 13 and 20, CJ Wellington's on New Hyde Park Road in Franklin Square will host a fund-raiser brunch.
Anyone interested in donating to Orange-Aid can contact Badalucco at (516) 539-9412. Those interested in helping the churches of Orange, or a Texas veterinarian assisting in the relief effort for domestic pets, can reach Badalucco on his cell phone at (516) 318-3281.
Comments about this story? Fseditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 240.
