Toms River High School South recently hosted the first "Indians Give Back Week" fundraiser with all proceeds going to help needy South students. Catrina Shea, a High School South junior and events coordinator, set a goal to raise the most funds possible.

Speaking the night of the event,  Tom Mergogey, a 17-year old student from Beachwood said, "We have everything, and we take things for granted.". Mergogey manned a table selling T-shirts to raise funds.

Event organizers stated that local businesses have helped with the donations of either money or merchandise for the worthwhile event.

At the school, all homerooms will have fundraising competitions, with different contests daily and different ways to earn points for their homeroom. Three homerooms with the most overall points -- the ones who raised the most money -- will get to choose a teacher to dress up. Students will also participate in a scavenger hunt, finding four teachers from clues given through buttons purchased.

On Wednesday, the students wore their sweatshirts, T-shirts, and buttons with the Indians Give Back logo. The homeroom with the highest percentage of people wearing such items won a breakfast Thursday. Later that night, a fundraising student/faculty basketball game was held in the gymnasium.

"We made the event fun to attend and are very happy with the results. The proceeds will help many students.." Shea said, adding that she hopes the fundraiser becomes an annual event.
 

Superintendent Michael J. Ritacco and Toms River Township Mayor Kelaher pose with Catrina and "TRS Indian Givers".	Mayor Kelaher presented Catrina with an official Township of Toms River resolution honoring their efforts.
Spectators packed the gymnasium for the student/faculty basketball game.	Students organized the event to benefit needy students of High School South.

Copyright 2007 Toms River Regional Schools. All rights reserved. Not responsible for external content.