By Scott Stagnita
On Wednesday, Dec. 7 the Skaneateles Middle School Student Council was at the Wal-Mart in Camillus. While at Wal-Mart, we will take part in our annual Holiday Shopping Spree. We will have $13,500 to spend, each group of students are responsible to shop for a certain age group. Each group will have 90 minutes to spend roughly $1,000, and each item must be under $15.00. The funding for this event comes from Todd’s Fund and the middle school Student Council. Todd’s Fund and the Pirro Foundation donated $5,000 each, and Student Council donated $1,000. The enormous amount of toys we will purchase will be handed over to Peace Incorporated and local charities, where they will be distributed throughout Central New York to children of all ages.
Before we begin our shopping spree, I will explain to my students the impact they will have on a child’s Christmas because of what they are about to accomplish. To help make the connection on what is taking place, I will have Peace Incorporated send video and photos of the toys being passed out at local schools and organizations. My student council members, in January, will get a glimpse of what they have helped accomplish and the impact they have made on other lives because of their generosity.
Wal-Mart is given us a $2,500 discount so more like around 22%
Grand Total will be $13,500.
Breakdown of Funds
$10,000 Todd’s Fund and Pirro Foundation Contribution
+ $1,000 Middle School Student Council Contribution
$11,000
$11,000 + 22% (Wal-Mart Discount) = $2,500
Grand Total $13,500
It was the year 2000 and it was my first year teaching at Skaneateles Middle School. I sat in my technology room with 3 students who were my new student council officers. We were discussing how we could do something for kids during the upcoming holiday season. This was the day the annual Skaneateles Middle School Student Council Holiday Shopping Spree was born.
Our first year was very small. The technology club made nerf basketball hoops with the Skaneateles logo on them. This was how we raised money for our first Holiday Shopping Spree. Twenty five student council representatives and I boarded a school bus with $500.00 and a dream of buying toys for kids at a local Toys R Us store. The experience was uplifting for these 25 kids. They were shopping for children who would go without if not for them. With such a limited amount of cash, the students were very concerned about getting the most for their money. It was an “ah ha” moment for most. PEACE Inc. was the first recipient of our efforts.
Our second year saw Student Council hosting a Dinosaur BBQ fund raiser off the back dock of the technology room. We sold 15 lbs. of pulled pork and raised around $400.00. Now 15 years later, we sold 100lbs. of Dinosaur BBQ pulled pork and 20 lbs. of Gianelli sausage in a drive in type setting in front of the Middle School. This year we raised close to $5,000.00. The first fundraiser saw 25 kids running the event and now we have 75 students participating. Now we take 60 student council members and 20 chaperones on the Holiday Shopping Spree. This year we will be spending $13,200.00 and spreading out the toys between 15 different Central New York organizations. Just imagine purchasing so many toys that the Wal Mart Super Center computers could not handle the load and shut down, a receipt that measures 12 yards, and the toys fill over 100 carts.
The funding comes from Todd’s Fund and Friends of Dave Pirro. Todd’s Fund has been a part of the Student Council Holiday Shopping Spree for the last 13 years and has contributed over $100,000.00. Todd’s Fund was born out of the 9/11 tragedy. Christopher Todd Pitman was born in Skaneateles, New York. As a child, Todd’s warmth and radiance was coupled with a desire to succeed in every aspect of life. He was an ambitious hockey player, a gifted student, a steadfast friend, and a loving brother and son. Todd’s ambition continued past his childhood in Skaneateles and into the corridors of Duke University. After graduating from Duke, Todd spent seven years in Japan before -returning to New York City and a job as a trader with Cantor Fitzgerald. On September 11, 2001 at the age of 30, Todd was at his desk in the World Trade Center and was unable to make it out of the building. In 2002, family and friends joined together to create an everlasting memory of Todd’s generosity and love of life. Since its inception, Todd’s Fund has given over $500,000.00 in aide and educational support to over 2,500 children in Central New York.
In the spirit of Todd Pitman’s generosity and love of life, Todd’s Fund acts as an angel fund, providing financial assistance to families with children from ages 9 -18 years of age.
The holiday season is a special time of year for children and the bond of Skaneateles Middle School’s student council. Todd’s Fund does its best to insure that no child goes without at this time of year. The Holiday Shopping Spree not only makes children in Central New York smile, but it impacts the students who participate in this annual event. They see first hand through photos, letters and videos supplied by our recipients how giving to other children makes the world a better place.