Northern Valley Demarest’s National Honors Society is once again holding its biannual fundraiser, an event held to support the Covenant House, an organization that shelters, feeds, and provides essential services to students from underprivileged backgrounds, helping them achieve their academic goals. In addition to the donation, part of the proceeds will fund four $500 scholarships for senior NHS members. The fundraiser itself is taking the form of discount cards for local businesses all over the tri-valley area.
“The discount cards offer 10% savings at the vendors listed. Most vendors are local restaurants, small shops or eateries,” Dr. Kathleen Zahos, science teacher and co-administrator for NHS, said.
To keep the fundraiser fresh, she also plans on adding more shops in the future.
“We offer the fundraiser every two years. This year I added in two main restaurants that NVD families enjoy- Andiamo and DiMora. In another two years I plan on expanding the restaurant choices even further,” Zahos said.
According to Zahos, student responses have been overwhelmingly positive.
“All of the students have commented on the choices this year,” Zahos said, noting that the new additions have made the cards far more appealing to many families.
But the impact of this fundraiser is far more than just the discounts. Zahos explained that the cause itself is what makes this fundraiser especially meaningful for the school community.
“Teenage homelessness should be important to everyone, especially teenagers at our school. Our students should care because it doesn’t take much for any of us at NVD to find ourselves in need of help,” Zahos said.
She chose Covenant House as the recipient of the donations years ago when she’d stumbled upon their brochure in her mailbox. “I researched their mission and felt it was a good fit with the National Honor Society. I contacted them and we started a partnership,” Zahos said—and that relationship has continued ever since.
The NHS hopes to raise enough money this year to donate even more to Covenant House.
“Last time we did the fundraiser we donated $10,000 to Covenant House and purchased 3 water hydration stations for NVD. This year we are aiming for a larger donation to Covenant House,” Zahos said, “None of the money will remain with NHS, except for the 4 scholarships. This is a fully philanthropic endeavor.”
She encourages students to support the fundraiser as the deadline approaches, bringing with it hope for all the students supported by the Covenant House.
“[The] deadline for sales is December 22nd. We hope to be able to donate $15,000 to Covenant House this year,” Zahos said.
