Riverhead High Schoolers Help Community Members with Habitat for Humanity
Riverhead High School Interact Club Partners with Nonprofit to Assist a Riverhead Family
RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK (MAY 2023) — The Riverhead High School Interact Club excitedly partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help build a house for a family in need in the Riverhead community. The students enthusiastically participated in two field trips—one in April and one in May—that allowed them to develop their skills while enjoying a bonding experience and compassionately assisting others in their community.
“I am so proud of the dedicated service our students have displayed,” said Riverhead Central School District Superintendent Dr. Augustine E. Tornatore. “To specifically give back to a family in your own neighborhood is a special feeling and further unites our wonderful community. The Interact Club’s projects and partnerships truly pursue this mission, and I look forward to seeing all of the great work I know they will continue to do.”
This is the Interact Club’s third year working with Habitat for Humanity. Excited for this amazing experience, the Interact Club fundraised for several months to make these Habitat for Humanity field trips possible. They sold paper bricks for $1 apiece and raised over $800. On the April field trip, students insulated the house and cleared the yard for landscaping. When they returned in May, they painted the house’s interior.
“It is an absolute joy to work with Habitat for Humanity each year,” said Riverhead High School Interact Club advisor Debbie Cantalupo. “The students were exhausted at the end of each day but overjoyed at what they accomplished to help this family.”
The following members of the Interact Club participated in the project with Habitat for Humanity: Destiny Baker, Pablo Chavez Cardona, Charlotte Dow, Miguel Garcia, Abigail Heck, Kevin Kulakowski, Avery Mato, Ava Meras, Shannon Noone, Michelle Nunez and Daniel Terlikowski. An age requirement of 16 or older was necessary to participate.
Members of the Riverhead High School Interact Club clearing the yard of the Habitat for Humanity house they are working on
The Riverhead High School Interact Club at the Habitat for Humanity building site
The Riverhead High School students in the Interact Club learning how to properly handle the tools they used to work on the Habitat for Humanity house