Hayward’s Deli chipped in for a bit of community camaraderie this past Saturday morning. The Suffern High School’s chapter of Youth for Hospice put a tip jar out at the local deli and marketplace on Rt. 17 in Sloatsburg — and four hours later had collected some $200 for Hospice of Rockland County.
Kudos to everyone who contributed to the Suffern HS Youth For Hospice fundraiser Saturday. A teen volunteer service group of United Hospice of Rockland (UHR), the tip jar drive raised some $200 on at Hayward’s Deli from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sloatsburgers, and many others out for morning coffee, responded to the group’s bid for change — all for a good cause.
Youth for Hospice is a volunteer group coordinated by local high school students to benefit United Hospice of Rockland (UHR), which provides care and comfort to individuals and their families facing serious illness.
YFH chapters include Clarkstown North High School, which founded the youth effort in 2008, North Rockland High School, Nyack High, Tappen Zee High, and Albertus Magnas High.
The Suffern YFH chapter was started by Sloatsburgers James Dowd and Hannah Consiglio last year — Dowd, along with Evan Kraushaar, serves as president of the organization. The Hayward’s Deli tip jar effort started at 9 a.m. Saturday and by 1 p.m. the group had hauled in a generous amount of change and small bills — thanks in kind to donations of many Sloatsburg residents.
The big YFH fundraising event of the year will take place Friday, March 6, when the area YFH groups present the 8th Annual Dance-A-Thon, set for Clarkstown South High School from 7:30 to 11 p.m. (notice to late attendees: doors to the dance close at 9pm). Lisa Denburg, UHR Assistant Director of Development, said the Dance-A-Thon is the event where all hospice youth chapters join together for a big fundraiser — last year’s dance at Albertus Magnas High raised $31,000.
The Youth For Hospice Dance-A-Thon raised some $31,000 at last year’s event, which saw teens from across Rockland gather for a Friday night dance party. Tickets cost $30. / Photo courtesy of United Hospice of Rockland
This year’s dance is limited to pre-registration only. In past years, Denburg said, the dance was open to Rockland high school students but has since grown too big. Denburg said this year’s attendance is limited to 500 kids. The near chaos of last year’s big dance saw hundreds pre-register and another 600 show up at the door the night of the event.
This year’s dress theme is black and white attire and students can earn community service hours by volunteering to help set up and clean up after the dance. Cost is $30 dollars.
For more information about becoming a YFH member, please contact Lisa Denburg, UHR Assistant Director of Development, 845.634.4974 or email ldenburg@hospiceofrockland.org.
