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I.EXECUTIVESUMMARY

In2015therewillbeanestimated1,658,370newcasesofcancerand589,430cancerdeathsintheUnitedStates.Sincethisdiseasenotonlyaffectsthosewithcancer,butalsothefriendsandfamiliessupportingthem,theNorthernHighlandsRegionalHighSchoolDECAChapterdecidedtosupportGilda’sClubNorthernNewJersey(GCNNJ).Gilda’sClubisacancersupportcenterinHackensack,NewJerseythatoffersnotonlysupportgroups,butalsoworkshopsandeducationalandsocialactivities. Aseven-monthcampaignwasdesignedtomeetthefollowinggoalsandobjectivesforthiscommunityserviceproject:

• SpreadawarenessofGCNNJanditsphilosophy• Donate$2,000toGCNNJthisyearthroughfundraisingprojects• DonateneededsuppliesforuseatGCNNJ

o 30itemsforuseinartsessionso 50paperitemsneededfortheThanksgivingpartyo 15giftcardsfortheholidayparty

• ProvidevolunteersforGilda’sClubfundraisingeventsandparties

Thefollowingtabledepictstheeventsheldeachmonthandhoweacheventhelpedtoachievetheaboveobjectives.

Seven-MonthCampaignforGilda’sClubMonth Activities Results

September Chico’sEvent PromotedGilda’sClub&raised$460indonationsArtDrive Donated135artsupplies

October AllendaleFestivalDay PromotedGilda’sCub&raised$223indonationsDECArating VolunteersdecoratedsiteforHalloweenSaksFifthAvenue PromotedGilda’sClub&raised$405indonations

November LOL5ComedyNight

Volunteershelpedsetup,distributeprogramsandusherforthisfundraisingevent

ThanksgivingDrive Donated48suppliesforPot-LuckDinnerDecember GiftCardDrive Donated32giftcardsforGilda’sclubmembers

HolidayParty Volunteers–createdafunactivityforchildrenHolidayStorybook Createdastorybookforchildren

January Knock-KnockJokes CreatedKnock-KnockJokeBookforGilda’sClubFebruary DavidYurmanRaffle Fundraiser–$670donatedMarch DanceforaCause Fundraiser–$3,245donated

Intotal,216NHDECAmembersparticipatedintheNHDECACommunityServiceProject,undertheleadershipofLexiKellyandPhilipPerricelli,co-chairpersonsfortheproject.Throughthisproject,theNHDECAChapterwasabletoeffectivelyreachallthegoalsestablishedatthebeginningoftheproject.Intheprocess,NHDECAmemberslearnedaboutGilda’sClubandhowrewardingitfeelstoprovidecommunityservicetoalocalcharitythattrulyappreciatestheircontributionsoftimeanddonations.

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II.INTRODUCTION

A. Historicbackgroundoftheselectedcommunityserviceorcharity

Gilda’sClubwasfoundedfollowingthedeathoforiginalSaturdayNightLive(SNL)

castmemberGildaRadnerin1995.Thefamouscomedianwasdiagnosedwithovarian

cancerin1986,spreadingpublicknowledgeaboutherexperiencewithcancer.Radner

copedwithherillnessbyreceivingsupportfromthecommunityinhertreatmentcenterin

California.Afterherdeathin1989GeneWilder,Radner’shusband,andJoannaBull,

Radner’spsychotherapist,startedtheGilda’sClubmovement.InJuneof1995,thesignature

reddoorsopenedwiththeGilda’sClubNYC(GCNYC)inhonorofRadner’sspirittouching

thelivesofpeoplewithandwithoutcancer.By1997,GCNYChadgained1,000members

allowingintheyear2000forGilda’sClubtoopenclubhousesnationwide.

Gilda’sClubNorthernNewJersey(GCNNJ)islocatedinHackensack,NewJerseyand

wasoneoftheclubhousesopenednationwidein2000afterthesuccessoftheflagshipin

NewYorkCity.ThemissionofGCNNJis“tocreatewelcomingcommunitiesoffreesupport

foreveryonelivingwithcancer–men,women,teensandchildren–alongwiththeirfamilies

andfriends.Ourinnovativeprogramisanessentialcomplementtomedicalcare,providing

networkingandsupportgroups,workshops,educationandsocialactivities.”Throughspecial

programsofferedattheclubhouse,patientshaveproclaimedtheemotionalandsocial

supportthey’vebeengiven.ForkidstherearethreeprogramsofferedatGCNNJ:KidsNeed

Kids,KidsLikeMe,andTeensTogether.Thesethreeprogramsallowkidstoparticipatein

activitiestosharetheirexperienceandexpressthemselveswitheitherlossorwithfeeling

ofisolation.Inadditiontosharingexperiences,artprojectsareusedtoexpressfeelings.

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Therearealsovariousprogramsthatareofferedforadults.TheseprogramsinFigureIare

offeredtoadultsforthevariousscenariosinwhichcancerhasaffectedthem.

FigureI:TypesofProgramsOfferedforAdults

B.DescriptionofthelocalDECAchapter,schoolandcommunity

NorthernHighlandsRegionalHighSchool(NHRHS)islocatedinAllendale,New

JerseyinBergenCounty.StudentsfromthetownsofAllendale,UpperSaddleRiver,Saddle

River,andHo-Ho-Kusattendthispublicschool.FigureIIshowthepopulation,income,and

educationleveloftheresidentsofthesetownsin2012.Theaverageincomeforthestateof

NewJerseyis$71,637.

FigureII:NorthernHighlandsCommunityDemographics

Town

Population

MedianIncome

%withhighschooldegree

%withbachelor’sdegree

Allendale 6,704 $133,750 95% 59.4%UpperSaddleRiver 8,326 $174,957 98.2% 70.3%

SaddleRiver 3,178 $98,861 97.5% 58.1%Ho-Ho-Kus 4,140 $154,784 97.1% 70.2%

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NHRHSisapublicschoolwith1,378studentsintotal.Ofthosestudents,305are

DECAmembers.TheNHDECAChapterisoneofthelargestinNewJersey,andDECAisthe

largestclubinNHRHS.Intotal,theschoolofferssixtyclubs.NHDECAconsistsofstudents

ingradesninetotwelvewhoarecurrentlyenrolledinabusinessclass,havetakena

businessclassduringtheirtimeinhighschool,orhavenottakenabusinessclass,buthave

aninterestinpursuingabusinesscareer.Forexample,ninthgradestudentsinterestedin

DECAmayparticipateinaninternshipprogrambutarenotallowedtocompete.Inthis

internshipprogramninthgradersreceivetraininginpreparationforthefollowingyearand

participateinDECAChapterProject’sevents.

TheBusinessEducationDepartmentattheschooloffersIntroductiontoBusiness,

PersonalFinance,MarketingI,MarketingII,HonorsMarketing,Management,

Entrepreneurship,APComputerProgramming,andAPEconomics.Themarketingand

businessclassesatHighlandshelpstudentsprepareforDECAcompetition.TheNHDECA

advisorsareMrs.LoisFarese,Mr.GeorgeCarbone,Mrs.JennLederman,Mrs.DianeDeVoe

andMs.VictoriaTullo.

InordertogetallDECAmembersinvolved,apointsystemhasbeenimplemented

thispastyear.StudentsthatparticipateinDECAevents,includingchapterprojectevents,

receivepoints;thenumberofpointstheyreceivedependsontheamountoftimeand

effortspent.AllDECAmembersmustearnseven(7)pointsinordertocompeteatthe

RegionalDECAConference,twelve(12)pointstocompeteattheStateDECAConference,

andfourteen(14)tocompeteatDECA’sInternationalCareerDevelopmentConference,all

dependingonhowfartheycompete.ThepointsystemcreatesanincentiveforNHDECA

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Chaptermemberstobecomeheavilyinvolvedinthechapterprojectsandlearnaboutthe

manyaspectsofbusiness.

III.CONTRIBUTIONSTOANEEDEDCOMMUNITYSERVICEORCHARITY

A.Purposeoftheproject

ThepresidentanddirectorofeventsatGCNNJstressedtheneedfordonationsand

helpwithitsmanyactivities.So,fundraising,providingvolunteersandeducatingothers

abouttheuniquephilosophyofGilda’sClubbecamethepurposeofthisyear’sCommunity

ServiceProject.Withthatinmind,goalswereestablishedwithspecificobjectivestoreach

thosegoals.ThemainobjectivesfromthemonthsofSeptemberthroughMarchwereto:

spreadawarenessofGCNNJanditsphilosophy

donate$2,000toGCNNJthisyearthroughfundraisingprojects

donateneededsuppliesforuseatGCNNJasfollows:o 30itemsforuseinartsessions(September)

o 50paperitemsneededfortheThanksgivingparty(November)

o 15giftcardsfortheholidayparty(December)

providevolunteersforGilda'sClubfundraisingeventsandparties

EventhoughGilda’sClubhasbeeninexistenceinHackensack,NewJerseysince

2000,itstillrequirespromotionofitsphilosophyandtheactivitiesitoffersfamilies

affectedbycancer.Thus,awarenessandmeaningofthischaritywasamainfocusofthis

project.ThesignaturereddooristheiconofGilda’sClub,soitwasusedwhenpromoting

thecommunityserviceprojectthisyear.SpreadingawarenessofGilda’sClubwas

especiallyimportantwiththeyoungergenerationbecausetheydidnotgrowupwithGilda

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Radnerasahouseholdname.Therefore,itwasimportanttoexplainthesignificancebehind

thename.Newcomediansmaketheirdebutintonewergenerations;however,Radner

startedthecareerpathforthesecurrentcomedians.Gilda’sClubneedstobecomeaname

withGenerationYasRadner’sspiritlieswithintheheartofGilda’sClub,anditsmissionto

supporteveryonewhoistouchedbycancer.

SinceGilda’sClubisanon-profitorganization,itreliesondonationstofundits

missionandactivities.Itthereforeconductsitsownfundraisingeffortstoraisethemoney

neededforitsoperation.TheNHDECAChapterplanstohelpraisefundsthroughits

supportofGCNNJactivitiesandthroughitsownfundraisingprojectsthatwillraisemoney

tobedonateddirectlytoGCNNJthisyear.

TohelpreduceexpensesforthedailyoperationsandspecialeventsheldatGilda’s

Club,receivingdonationsintheformofsuppliesandgiftcardsweregoalssetfortheNH

DECAChapter.ThespecificitemstobedonatedweresuggestedbyRalenaZabala,the

GCNNJbusinessofficer.Zabalaaskedforartsuppliesthatareuseddaily,aswellaspaper

productsfortheThanksgivingpartyandgiftcardsfortheholidaypartyinDecember.It

wasimportanttodonatetheitemsthatwererequestedbecauseDECAmembersknewthey

wouldbeusedforaspecificpurposeatGCNNJ.

Lastly,Gilda’sCubreliesonvolunteerstohelpwithitsfundraisingeffortsandthe

partiesitholdsformembers.InordertopromotetheseeventswithallGCNNJ’sactivities,

theuseofFacebook,Instagram,e-mail,posters,andflyers,providedmanyopportunities

forDECAmemberstobeofservicetoGilda’sClub.ThepurposeforNHDECA,therefore,

wastobeattheserviceofGCNNJwheneveritwasneeded.

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B.Rationaleforselectingthecommunityserviceorcharitableproject

GCNNJwaschosenasthecharityforthecommunityserviceprojectbecauseitisa

charitythatisnotknownamongstthestudentbodyatNorthernHighlands,yetonethat

neededthehelpofalargestudentbodyandDECAchapter.Theschoolasawholehasa

personalconnectionwithcancerasmostpeoplehavebeenaffectedinsomeway;however,

peoplearenotawareofGilda’sClubbecauseGildaRadnerwasapopularfigureinthe

1980’s.SincetheNHDECAChapterhas305students,therewouldbeanincreaseinthe

awarenessandofthischaritytothestudentbody.

GCNNJisalsoalocalcharity,stemmingfromtheoriginalGilda’sClubinNewYork

City.Havingacharityonly14milesawayfromNHRHSisahugebenefitfortheinvolvement

oftheDECAchapter.Theco-chairpersonswantedDECAmemberstobeabletoseethe

facilitiesoftheclubhouse,andseeforthemselvesthemanylivestheywouldbehelping.

GCNNJ’slocationwasalsoimportant,asitwouldacknowledgewherethemoney,

volunteers,anddonationswouldbegoing.Havingtheclubhousesoclosealsoallowsfor

interactionbetweenthepresidentanddirectoroftheeventsfortheNHDECAChapterto

participateanddonatetheirtime.Thisproximityprovideseasyaccessandasmallerscale

togetDECAmembersmoreinvolvedandallowedtheco-chairpersonstobeonapersonal

relationshipwiththepeopleatGCNNJ.

Gilda’sClub’sphilosophyisonethatisdifferentfromothercancercentersandwas

animportantfactorwhenpickingacharity.Theyfocusonsupportfornotonlycancer

patientswhoneedaplacetoshareandtalkabouttheirexperiences,butalsosupportfor

familymemberswhoareaffectedaswell.Somecancercentersfocusonfamilysupporttoo;

however,thebackgroundofGildaRadnerasacomedianhasprovidedthebasisofGilda’s

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Club’sinfluenceonitsprograms.Mostoftheireventsthattakeplacehavefamous

comediansoreventswherethemainfocusistolaughandhaveagoodtime.Throughthis

philosophy,theteammembershadastrongconnectionthroughtheentertainmentaspect

thatGilda’sClubprovidesforitsmembers.It’snotadistractionawayfromcancerwiththe

artoflaughter,butit’sacopingmechanismthatcanturnanyfrownupsidedown.

Laughterisoneofthemanykeysoflife,whichisstressedintheideologyofGilda’s

Club.Itsroleinlifeallowsforpeopletoreflectandbeinamomentofrejoice,especially

withpeoplebattlingcancer.Anyoneaffectedbycancercanunderstandhowbetweenmany

supportgroups,likeGCNNJ,andhospitalvisits,laughtercanbringalittleextrapositivityin

one’slife.Astheteammembersareentertainersthemselves,activelyparticipatingin

variousextra-curricularactivitiesliketheschoolmusicaloracappellagroups,they

understandthemagicthatcanhappenwithbringingasmiletosomeone’sface.Beingon

stageandmovinganaudiencethroughaperformancecanimpactsomeone’sviewonlife,

whichcanultimatelygiveinspiration.Thisinspirationisthesametypeofinfluencethat

GildaRadnergavetoheraudienceeveryweekendonSNL,andwhatGilda’sClubcontinues

todo.Therefore,theteammembersconnectedwithGCNNJ’sphilosophythroughtheir

programastheirpassionforbringinglaughter,inadditiontotheirmanyformsofsupport,

isthesamepassiontheybringoutsideoftheclassroom.

C.Descriptionofthebenefitsoftheprojecttothechapterandchaptermembers’understandingofleadershipdevelopment,socialintelligenceandcommunityservice

ThechapterinvolvementwithGCNNJallowsboththeschoolandcommunityto

becomemoreawareoftheneedforsupportforanorganizationthatprovidesemotional

andpsychologicalhelptocancerpatientsandfamiliesaffectedbycancer.Thecommunity

serviceprojectallowsDECAmembertounderstandthatcancerisadiseasethatnotonly

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affectsthepersonwiththedisease,butalsoeverypersoninvolvedintheirlife.DECA

memberswillbecomemindfuloftheneedsofothers,whichextendsbeyondphysicalneeds.

Leadership.Thevariedandmultipleactivitiesinvolvedinthisprojectrequired

strongleadershipoftheco-chairpersons.Decisionshadtobemadewhenrequestswere

forwardedtothembyGCNNJtohelpwithfundraisingprojectsandspecialactivitiesheldat

GCNNJastothefeasibilityofofferingassistance.Insomeinstances,approvalfromschool

administratorswasrequired.EachapprovedactivityhadtobecommunicatedtoDECA

members,coordinated,andmanagedbyco-chairpersonsforthisyear’sCommunityService

Project.Astheprojectleaders,theywereresponsibleforgeneratingtheideasforevents,

planningtheevents,gettingvolunteerstoparticipate,trainingvolunteers,andoverseeing

thatalltaskswerecompletedasplanned.Asmanagersofallactivities,theylearnedto

delegateresponsibilitiestothevolunteers,whileothertasks,likehandlingmoney

remainedtheirjob.

Volunteerslearnedtotakeinitiativebyhelpingthechairpersonswiththetasksthey

wereassigned.AllDECAmemberswereexpectedtoparticipateintheeventsandfollow

throughonthetaskstheyweregiven.Thus,leadershipskillsweredevelopedbyvolunteers

thatwereresponsibleforspecificactivitiesandtheirconfidenceinhandlingtasksevolved.

Whetheritbestandingbehindatableandaskingfordonations,sellingcookies,orassisting

GCNNJattheirmanyevents,student’sabilitieswouldbeenhancedastheyhadtorepresent

thecharity.

DECArepresentatives,whoareresponsibleforinformingtheentireDECAchapterof

upcomingevents,wereresponsibleforencouragingclassmatestoparticipateinGilda’s

Clubactivitiesandfundraisingdrives.Therefore,thevariouswaysinwhichthestudents

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advancedtheirskillsofleadershipwasstrengthenedfromtheindependenceofthemany

eventsthatthechairpersonshadtheminvolvedin.

SocialIntelligence.TherelationshipthatNHDECAhasformedwithGCNNJhas

fosteredagreaterunderstandingoftheneedsofothers,andwaysinwhichtodealwithand

supportthoseneeds.Gilda’sClubisanorganizationwithmembersfrommanydifferent

walksoflife.PeopleofallagesandbackgroundsarewelcometoattendGilda’sClub’s

supportgroups,yettheyallshareacommonexperience.ByhelpingGCNNJ,theNHDECA

ChapterhasabetterunderstandingofwhatGilda’sClubrepresents,andthereforeagreater

understandingofthedemographicsinwhichotherslive.Membersgainsocialintelligence

bylearningabouttheorganization,attendingtheGilda’sClubevents,andcominginto

contactwithmembersofGCNNJ.BybecomingaGilda’sClubvolunteer,DECAmembers

wereheldtoacertainexpectationbytheorganizationtorepresentthemselveswelland

abidebytheclubhouses’rules.Gilda’sClubencouragesvolunteerstobemoresocially

awareandsensitiveinanenvironmentwithpeopleregainingcontrolovertheirlives.For

example,certainlanguagethatisnotallowedintheclubhousearethewords“coping,”“safe

haven,”“helpless,”“battlingcancer,”and“cancersupportgroup.”Thesearewordsthatare

oftenusewhendescribinganenvironmentlikeGilda’sClub,andbybringingvolunteers

attentiontothenegativeconnotationsofthosewords,theorganizationismakingDECA

membersmoresociallyintelligent.

CommunityService.TheDECAChapterwillbenefitfromthiscommunityservice

projectbecauseoftheuniquenessofthecharity.Studentswilllearnthatcommunity

serviceisnotsimplydonatingmoneyorworkingasoupkitchenforaday.Byhelping

Gilda’sClub,wearehelpingthemprovidetheserviceofemotionalandpsychological

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supportforpeoplewithcancerandtheirfamilies.Gilda’sClubvolunteersareaskedbythe

organizationtodonatetheirtimebydistributingbrochures,assistingstaff,andworkingat

theclubhouse.DECAmemberswillunderstandthattimecanbeofagreatervaluethan

moneybyhopefullyshowingthechapterthefutureimpacttheycanhaveonacharity.The

projectwillalsomakestudentsmoreawarefortheneedofanorganizationlikethisone.

IV.ORGANIZATIONANDIMPLEMENTATION

A.Organizationalchart,memberinvolvementandjobdescription

InorderforthisCommunityServiceProjecttobesuccessful,itwasessentialtohave

awell-organizedplanthatincludedallaspectsoftheproject.Eachfacetoftheprojecthad

tobecoordinatedwithGilda’sClub,DECAAdvisors,schooladministrators,andNHDECA

members.FigureIIIdepictsallthegroupsinvolvedintheCommunityServiceProject.

FigureIII:OrganizationalChartforCommunityServiceProject

ProjectLeaders

Gilda'sClubLiaisons

"ActionTeam"

"Donators"

HonorsMarketing

III

DECAAdvisors

HomeroomRepresentatives

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ProjectLeaders.Theco-chairpersonsforthisyear’sCommunityServiceProject

weretheprojectleadersLexiKellyandPhilipPerricelli.Toearntherighttobeproject

leaders,theysubmittedaproposaltodoaCommunityServiceProjectandwereapproved

bytheNHDECAAdvisorslastJune.InJulyandAugust,theyattendedmeetingsatGilda’s

ClubNorthernNewJerseytolearnmoreaboutthenon-profitorganizationanditsneeds.

TheplanningbeganthenwithrequestsbyGCNNJforhelpwithfundraisersandother

activities.Goalswerethensetbytheprojectleadersthatreflectedtheneedsidentifiedby

GCNNJandwereapprovedbytheDECAAdvisors.Projectleaderswereresponsiblefor

everyaspectoftheprojectandweretheliaisonstoGCNNJonbehalfoftheNHDECA

Chapter.

Theirresponsibilitiesincluded,butwerenotlimitedto:maintainingaclose

relationshipwithGCNNJ;attendingmeetingsatGCNNJ;communicatingGCNNJneedsto

chaptermembers;designingflyersforvariousdrives;recruitingmembersasvolunteersfor

GCNNJprojects;trainingvolunteers;settingupschedulesforvolunteersatGCNNJevents;

generatingideasforprojectsthatcanbedonebyNHDECAmembers;managing

fundraisingprojectsandmoneycollected;andgettingapprovalforprojectsfromDECA

Advisorsandschooladministrators.

Gilda’sClubLiaisons.ThetwowomeninchargeatGCNNJwhoactedastheliaisons

withtheNHDECAChapterwereRuthDuganandRalenaZabala.Attheclubhouse,Ruth

DuganistheBusinessOfficerandRalenaZabalaistheClubhouseManager.Theywerethe

contactsfortheprojectandwereresponsibleforincorporatingNHDECAintotheirevents.

ActionTeam.Thisactionteamwasagroupof60DECAmembersthatwerealways

reliableforhelpwiththemanyeventsthatNHDECArepresentedatGCNNJ’sevents.These

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DECAmemberswereactivelyinvolvedintheChico’sevent,decoratingGCNNJfor

Halloween,theSaksevents,theholidayevent,andLOL5.Attheseevents,studentswere

askedtobevolunteersandbespokespeopleonbehalfofGCNNJ.The60dedicated

volunteerswereaskedtodovariousjobs,suchasbeingbehindatableandexplaining

Gilda’sClubtopeople,askingfordonations,usheringattheLOL5,andgoingtothe

clubhouseinHackensacktoworkwiththechildrenandparticipateintheirevents.

Donators.DonatorsareDECAmemberswhosoliciteddonationsand/ordonated

itemsthemselvesthatwereneededforGCNNJ.Theyparticipatedinthedonationdrivesfor

artsupplies,Thanksgivingpapersupplies,andgiftcards.AlthougheveryDECAmember

didnotvisitGilda’sClub,theywereimportanttothesuccessofeachdrive.

HonorsMarketingIII.DECAmembersinHonorsMarketingIIIhavetaken

MarketingIandMarketingIIandthereforearehighlyknowledgeableandresponsible

students.Thisgroupwasthemain“thinktank”thathelpedtogenerateideasfortheproject.

Sincethechairpersonsweremembersofthisclass,thisgroupwasverysupportiveandthe

DECAmembersthatoftentookonleadershiprolesformanyoftheactivitiessuchas,the

Chico’sevent.TheyalsohelpedspreadtheawarenessforCommunityServiceProjectby

alsopostingontheNHDECAInstagram.

DECAAdvisors.TheDECAadvisorsareMrs.LoisFarese,Mr.GeorgeCarbone,Mrs.

JennLederman,Mrs.DianeDeVoeandMs.VictoriaTullo.Theadvisorswereresponsiblefor

providingdetailsaboutthecommunityserviceprojecttotherestofNHDECA.Ms.Lois

Faresevisitedthefacilityatthebeginningoftheprojecttoseetheoperationsandapproved

thecharityofchoice.Inaddition,theyhelpedauthorizethevariouseventsthroughthe

administrationtoprovideassistancetoGCNNJ.

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HomeroomRepresentatives.DECAofficersandstudentrepresentativesfromeach

businessclassarepartoftheNHDECAhomeroom.Thestudentsinthishomeroomactas

theliaisonfortheirrespectivebusinessclass.Inthatcapacity,theyareresponsiblefor

providingDECAmemberswithinformationaboutNHDECAactivities.Thechairpersons

usedthisgrouptomakeannouncementsaboutupcomingeventsforthecommunityservice

project.Thisallowedforstudentsinallthebusinessclassesenrolledintheclubtoknow

whatishappeningtoparticipateintheproject’seventsbesidesjusttheDECAInstagram,

emailsandflyers.

B.Descriptionoftheprojectanddocumentation

Workontheprojectbeganduringthesummerwhentheprojectleadersvisited

Gilda’sClubinHackensack.Theobjectivesandgoalsfortheprojectweredecidedatthat

timesothatactivitiescouldbeginasearlyasSeptember2014.OnSeptember9th,therewas

aDECAmeetingwhereanyoneinterestedinjoiningDECA.Thechairpersonsusedthis

opportunitytopresenttheprojectfortheschoolyeartomorethan300students.

September.ThefirsteventwasonSeptember20th,whereGCNNJaskedforNH

DECAtorepresentthreeofthetwelveChico’sretailstores,whichwerelocatedin

Ridgewood,ParamusParkMall,andTice’sCorner.DECAmember

volunteerstookshiftsateachofthethreestoresfrom10a.m.–12

noonandthenswitchedwithothervolunteersat12noon-2p.m.

DECAmembersstoodbehindtableswheretheyaskedfor

donationsandsoldcupcakesthatwereprovidedbyGilda’sClub.In

addition,theygaveoutpamphletstopeoplethatwalkedbyandinformedthemabout

futureeventslikeNoogiefest,theirannualHalloweenParty,andtheirLOL5ComedyNight.

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Leadinguptothisevent,thechairpersonsmadetwelvejarsthatwouldbelocatedoutside

alltwelveoftheChico’sstoresfordonations.Thesejarswerealsousedforadditional

futureeventsheldforGCNNJ.

TobeginpromotingGilda’sClubatNorthernHighlandsRegionalHighSchool,anart

drivewasheldfromSeptember22ndtoSeptember27th.Spreadingawarenessthroughout

theschoolwasdonewiththeuseofflyersande-mailmessagesto

allDECAmembersthatincludedtheflyer,whichcanbeseenin

AppendixA.Theartdrivestartedtogetpeopletalkingabout

Gilda’sClubandneededsuppliesweredonated,whichsatisfiedtwo

goalsoftheproject:makingothersawardofGilda’sCluband

meetingtheneedsofGCNNJwithregardtoneededsupplies.Artsuppliesrequestedand

donatedincludedacrylicpaints,openstockpatternedpaper,ribbons,journals,diaries,

blankscanvasses,blankhatsfordecoration,andstickers.

October.AftertheinitialmeetingforanyinterestedDECAmembersandbriefly

mentioningtheCommunityServiceProject,amandatorymeetingforanyonewhoactually

enrolledintheNHDECAChapterwasheldonOctober1st.Thismeetingrequiredall305NH

DECAmemberstogoaroundandlistentothechapterprojects,includingtheCommunity

ServiceProjectforGCNNJ.Havingthisattendanceallowedfor100%ofthechaptertolearn

aboutGilda’sClubandlearnaboutthepurposefortheproject,spreadingawarenesstoall

themembers.

OnOctober4thallthechapterprojectsfortheNHDECAChapterwererepresented

ataboothintownforAllendaleFestivalDayfrom10p.m.–4p.m.Thisisalocaleventthat

thechapterparticipatesineveryyear,asthereislivemusic,entertainment,facepainting,

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andothercommunityorganizationsthatactssimilartoastreetfair.TheNHDECAChapter

hadatableattheAllendaleFestivalDay,whichitsharedwithotherNHDECAChapter

Projects.Forthisevent,GCNNJhadacookieofthemonthat

alocalbakerythatwassoldfortwodollars,withallthe

moneygoingtothem.Inaddition,SaksFifthAvenue

partneredwithGilda’sClubinthemonthsofOctober,

November,andDecemberbysellingt-shirtswiththeslogan

“KeytotheCure”thatwerebeingsoldforthirty-fivedollarsinallSaksstoresnationwide.

TheGCNNJ’sliaisonsaskedthatthecookiesandt-shirtsbesoldattheAllendaleFestival

daytopromotetheseitems.

FollowingtheAllendaleFestivalDay,theGilda’sClubliaisonsalsoaskedforthe

chairpersonstobringasmallgroupofstudentstodecoratethe

clubhouse.OnOctober7th,thechairpersonsandfourotherDECA

memberswenttotheclubhousetodecoratefortheirannual

HalloweenpartycalledNoogiefest.Inordertogetreadyforthis

specialday,theydecoratedtheplayroom,thedanceroom,andthe

hallwayswithorange,purple,andblackballoons,skeletons,fakespiderwebs,lights,and

variousHalloweencreatures.

OnOctober18th,theNHDECAChapterhelpedrepresentGilda’sClubfortheirSaks

FifthAvenueevent.AsmentionedearlierwiththepartnershipbetweenSaksandGilda’s

Club,thisdaywasdedicatedtoalltheGilda’sClubclubhousesnationwide.Eventhoughthis

specialt-shirtsalewasthroughthemonthsofOctober,November,andDecember,thisday

wasakickoffaftertheOctober6threleaseofthe“KeytotheCure”shirts.GCNNJwastobe

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representedatSaksFifthAvenueinRiversideMallwheretenvolunteersfromtheNHDECA

Chaptertookshiftsduringthehoursof9:00a.m.-11:30a.m.,11:30a.m.

–1:00p.m.,1:00p.m.–4:00p.m.,4:00p.m.–6:30p.m.,and6:30p.m.–

9:00p.m.withtwotothreepeopleateachtimeslot.Theentranceof

thestoresetupatableasthevolunteerswereaskedtosellthet-shirts

andthesamecookiesfromAllendaleFestivalDay,whilealsoaskingfor

donationsandinformingpassingcustomersaboutupcomingGilda’sClubevents.

November.ThefirsteventinNovemberwastheLOL5ComedyEventthatwasheld

attheBergenCountyAcademiesAuditoriuminHackensack,NJonNovember2nd.Itisan

annualstand-upcomedianeventheldbyGCNNJinordertoraise

fundsandawarenessforthecharity.Inthepast,comedianssuchas

JoanRivershavebeenfeaturedintheshow.Thisyear,David

Steinberg,GilbertGottfried,CarolineRhea,VinceAugust,Cory

Kahaney,ReeseWaters,JeffNorris,GaryDelena,andEddieBrilwerefeatured.

TheNHDECAchapterwasresponsibleforgettingvolunteerstosetuptheevent,

handoutprograms,andusher,aswellaspromotetheeventaroundtheschool.Theshow

beganat7p.m.,butNHDECAvolunteerswereaskedtoarrive

at4p.m.tohangsigns,puttogetherbrochures,andunderstand

theseatingintheauditoriumtodirectpeopletotheirseat.All

twelveDECAmembervolunteerswereactiveandvital

participantsinthesetupoftheevent.Themostimportantpart

oftheprogramwaswhenaformerfriendofGildaRadnertalkedaboutGilda’sfightwith

cancer,whichwasfollowedbyapromotionalvideoforGilda’sClub.Thevolunteersthen

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distributedasurveytoguests,whichwascreatedbythechairpersonsinordertogagethe

audience’sreactiontothecomediansandhelpGilda’sClubimprovefutureevents.

FromNovember11thtoNovember22nd,NHDECAhelda“ThanksgivingDrive.”The

purposeofthedrivewastosolicititemstodonatetoGilda’sClubfortheirannual

ThanksgivingPotluckDinner.Aflyerwasusedtocommunicatespecificitemsrequestedby

GCNNJ,whichcanbeseeninAppendixB.Ane-mailwasalsosentwiththeflyertoallDECA

memberstorequestthefollowingitems:toiletpaper,paperplates,coffee&tea,non-

perishablefooditems&snacks,sugar&Splenda,plasticutensilsandtrashbags.

December.ThefirsteventofDecemberwasa“GiftCardDrive”whichwas

communicatedtoallDECAmembersviae-mailandaflyer.ThedrivestartedDecember15th

andendedDecember22nd.Gilda’sClubhadexpressedadesireforgiftcardstocertainfood

andconveniencestorestobedonatedinordertoimprovethelivesofitsclubmembersand

brightentheirholidayseason.Target,Costco,HomeDepot,Staples,OfficeDepot,Shoprite

wereexamplesofgiftcardsthatweredonated.

OnDecember18th,Gilda’sClubhostedaholidaypartywhereeveryGilda’sClub

memberandvolunteerwereinvitedtoattend.Thepartyhadarts,

crafts,andgiftsforthechildren,aswellasfood,and

entertainment.TheNHDECAChapterwantedtobeinvolvedin

thepartytohelpoutwiththenight’sactivitiesandhaveachance

toexposetheDECAmemberstotheclubhouseandseewhatit

wasabout.ThechairpersonsoftheprojectwereaskedbytheGilda’sClubliaisonstothink

ofanactivitytodowiththechildrenatGilda’sClub,purchasethematerials,andhavefun

withthekidswhiledoingit.Oneactivitythatthechairpersonsdecidedonwastocreate

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fakesnow.Thiswasachievedbymixingbakingsodaandshavingcreamtocreateasnow-

likesubstance.Thechildrenenjoyedthemessyactivityanditbroughtasmiletotheirfaces.

FourNHDECAmembersattendedthepartyintotal,whichwaslessthantheexpectedgoal

oftenmembers,butunfortunatelyitwasdifficulttoincreaseparticipationtotheparty

becauseitwasonaschoolnight.However,theexperiencewasveryrewardingforthose

whoattended.

ThelastactivityforDecemberwastocreateaholiday“gift”forGCNNJthatwouldbe

donatedtothem.Thiswaspromotedthroughtheuseofe-mailandflyersaroundthe

school,whichcanbeseeninAppendixC.Thechairpersonsdecidedtocreatea“Holiday

StoryBook”andhavetheNHDECAmembersbeactivelyinvolvedinitscreation.The

premiseofthestoryis“Mr.SnowmanlivesintheNorthPoleandhastogettoGilda’sClub

Hackensack.Whathappenstohimalongtheway?”DECA

memberswereaskedtocontinuethestorybywritingoneline

thatexplainswhathappenstoMr.Snowmanandthendrawan

illustrationtogoalongwithit.Thisbookwascreatedduringa

speciallunchatNHRHScalled“HolidayHoopla,”onDecember

22nd,wherestudentsgetalongerlunchinordertobuyfood

fromspecialvendorsandwhereschoolclubs(likeDECA)canpromotethemselves.NH

DECAmemberscouldstopbytheDECAtable,createpartofthestory,andthensigntheir

namesintheauthor’spage.Intotal,49memberswereinvolvedinthecreationofthestory.

Thechairpersonsthentookthepages,putthemtogether,decoratedthebook,anddonated

itforthechildrenatGGNNJ.

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January.AftertheNewYear,thechairpersonswantedtobringjoytotheNHDECA

ChapterandthechildrenofGNNJinthespiritofthecomedianGildaRadner.Afterthe

successoftheHolidayStorybook,anewbookwascreatedinJanuarycalled“Knock-Knock

forGilda’sClub.”ApromotionalflyerwaspostedontheNHDECAInstagramandanemail

wassenttotheentireDECAchaptertosendintheirbestknock-knockjokeswhereover

fortyjokeswerecollected.

February.ThefocusforFebruarywasfundraisingbytheNHDECAChapterfor

Gilda’sClub.ADavidYurmannecklacewitharedpendantwaspurchasedandraffledoff.

Ticketpriceswere:$10foroneticket,$25fortwotickets,and$40forsixtickets.Attheend

ofthefundraiserawinnerwasselectedbyarandomdraw.TheeventranfromFebruary

2ndtoFebruary13th,andwaspromotedasapresentforValentine’sDaythroughflyersand

e-mail.AcopyofthisflyercanbeseeninAppendixD.

March.OnMarch8th,afundraisingeventwasheldinpartnershipwiththeannual

schoolmusical.ThisyeartheshowisAnythingGoes,whichhastappingasaprevalent

component.Thechairpersonshavebeenapartofthemusicalandknewthedirectorhas

wantedtopartnerwiththeNHDECACommunityServiceProjectforafundraisingevent

thisyear.Thiseventiscalled“DanceforaCause,”whereafterthecurtainclosespeoplecan

comeonstageanddoatappingnumberwiththecast.Interestedparticipantsdidthe

following:

TapdanceduringpostcurtaincallfinaleonThursday,March5

Attendupto3rehearsalstolearnthedancetotherefrainofAnythingGoes

Weartheirownwhitepantsandtapshoes(somecanbeprovidedbyNHRHS)

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PurchaseAnythingGoest-shirttowearattheevent

Securesponsorsto“sponsor”dancingforacausewithagoalof$50indonations.

AnyoneinthecommunityfromthesendingdistrictsintoNHRHScouldcomeonstage.

PromotionsforthiseventweredonethroughInstagram,Facebook,e-mail,andattending

communityevents.

Intotal,30peopleparticipatedinDanceforaCause,withthetotalamountofdonations

being$3,245.

C.Impactgoalforthebeneficiary

SinceGCNNJisanon-profitorganization,theimpactgoalwastohelpthe

organizationinasmanywaysaspossible,whichincludedpromotingGilda’sClub,helping

GCNNJraisemoney,volunteering,anddonatingneededitems.Duringtheinitialmeetings

inJulyandAugustwithGilda’sClubliaisonsitbecameapparentthatanythingtheNHDECA

ChaptercoulddotosupportGCNNJ’smission,dailyoperations,andspecialeventswouldbe

appreciated.InessencetheimpactgoalforGCNNJwasfortheNHDECAChaptertobea

resourceforallGilda’sClubactivities.Withtheexceptionofthetwowomeninchargeat

GCNNJwhoactedastheliaisonswiththeNHDECAChapter(RuthDuganandRalena

Zabala),GCNNJfunctionswithvolunteersandthroughdonations.

TheNHDECAChapterhadagoaltomeetalltheirneedswithnoproblem,allowing

forGCNNJtonotworryaboutanyoftheirevents.ThisgoalwasmetasGCNNJwouldnot

havetodoonemorethingwithplanninganeventastheyknewthattheNHDECAChapter

wouldbeofserviceandreadytohelpwithanyoftheirneeds.Thiswholeideawasalso

takentothenextstepasinsteadofjustbeingatservice,theNHDECAChaptergaveback

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withfundraisinganddonationstoprovideforGCNNJ.Therefore,thechapterhasmadea

hugeimpactthroughthevariousneedsthatweremet,makingGCNNJfocusmoreon

managingtheirclubhouse.

V.EVALUATIONANDRECOMMENDATIONS

A.Evaluationoftheproject

Inordertoevaluatetheproject,itisimportanttore-visitthespecificgoalsthatwere

establishedduringtheinitialmeetingwithRuthDuganandRalenaZabala,aswellasthe

specificobjectivesthatwereneededtomeetthosegoals.Eachgoalandthespecific

objectivesforthatgoalareexplainedinmoredetailinthissection.

1. SpreadawarenessofGCNNJanditsphilosophy.

Throughoutthemanyeventspromotedandcarriedoutbythecommunityservice

chairpersons,awarenesswasspreadofGilda’sClubanditsphilosophytotheNorthern

HighlandsCommunity.Outof305chaptermembers,therewere216NHDECAMembers

whovolunteeredtheirtimetoeventssuchastheChico’sShoppingEvent,DECAratingfor

Halloween,theSaksFifthAveShoppingEvent,theLOL5ComedyNight,HolidayParty,and

theHolidayStorybook.Whilevolunteering,memberslearnedabouttheGilda’sClub

philosophyandthenspreadtheirknowledgeofthecharitytofriendsandotherDECA

Members.InordertospreadawarenessattheNorthernHighlandsCommunity,flyers,

socialmedia,andmeetingswereused.

Flyers.Whilepromotingtheeventsbyaskingforvolunteersandhangingvarious

flyers,theNHDECACommunityserviceprojecteffectivelyspreadthename“Gilda’sClub”

aroundtheschoolinthehallways,businessclasses,lunchroom,andtheDECAbulletin

board.

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SocialMedia.InstagramandFacebookwereusedtospreadthemessageand

promotetheevents.TheNHDECAInstagram,whichhas185followers,postedvarious

picturesofthecommunityserviceevents.ThechairpersonsalsosetupaFacebookgroup

called“NHDECACommunityServiceProject2014”andinvited40dedicatedDECA

memberstoseeit’sposts.IntheFacebookgroup,memberswereinformedoftheevents

throughouttheyear.

Meetings.Throughouttheyear,thechairpersonshadachancetomeetwiththe

entireDECAchaptertoinformandremindmembersofvolunteeropportunitiesanddrives.

ThesemeetingsarerequiredforallDECAmembers,thereforethephilosophyofGilda’s

Clubwaseffectivelyspreadtoall304members.

NorthernNJ.NHDECAmembers,byvolunteering,effectivelyhelpedGilda’sClub

buildawarenessacrossNorthernNewJersey.VolunteersatGilda’sClubeventswhere

DECAmembershandedoutpromotionalmaterials.Whenhandingoutthesematerials,

DECAvolunteerseffectivelyexplainedGilda’sClubmessagetothecommunity.

2.Donate$2,000toGCNNJthisyearthroughfundraisingprojects.

Thegoaltodonate$2,000toGCNNJthisyearthroughfundraisingprojectswas

accomplishedthroughtheeventswereNHDECAmembervolunteersaccepteddonations

onbehalfofGilda’sClub(Chico’sandSaksFifthAvenue),aswellasthroughthefundraising

sponsoredbytheNHDECAChapter(AllendaleFestivalDay,DavidYurmanRaffle,and

DancingforaCause).FigureIVlistsallthedonationsfromthoseeffortsandshowsthata

totalof$5,008hasbeendonatedattheendofthesevenmonthcampaign.

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FigureIV.Gilda’sClubDonations

Event Sponsor Donation

Chico’sEvent Gilda’sClub&Chico’s $460

AllendaleFestivalDay NHDECAChapter $223

SaksFifthAvenue Gilda’sClub&Saks $405

DavidYurmanRaffle NHDECAChapter $670

DanceforaCause NHDECAChapter $3,245

TotalasofMarch2015 ---------------- $5,008

Thechairpersonsarethrilledthat$5,088wasraisedthroughMarch2015.Therefore,the,

thegoalofraising$2,000wasexceeded.

3.DonateneededsuppliesforuseatGCNNJ.

FigureVshowsthespecificgoalsthatweresetforeachdriveandtheactualnumber

ofdonateditems.ThedonationsforneededsuppliesforuseatGCNNJexceededthegoals,

withtheexceptionoftheThanksgivingdrive,whichwasonlyshorttwoitemstomeetthe

goal.

FigureV.DrivesforneededsuppliesforGilda’sClub

Month Drive Goal Actual Success %ofgoalmet

September ArtSupplies 30 135 Exceededgoal 450%

November Thanksgiving 50 48 Almostmetgoal 96%

December GiftCards 15 32 Exceededgoal 213%

Thereasonthechairpersonsestimatedsuchalownumberofthirtyfortheart

suppliesdrivewasbecausethiswasoneofthefirsteventsandalotofpeoplewerenotyet

25

awarethattheNHDECAChapterwasworkingwithGCNNJ.However,throughpromotions,

suchasthespecialflyerfortheartsuppliesdrive(seeninAppendixA)thisgoalwas

surpassed.

TheNovemberdrivewasusedforGilda’sannualThanksgivingpotluckevent,as

wellasforitsday-to-dayoperations.Theitemsthatweredonatedconsistedofpaper,

canned,andanyothernecessarygoodsthatwereaskedofbytheliaison,whichcanbeseen

inAppendixB.Onlytwomorepaperitemswereneededtomeetourgoal,howeversince

thenumberofitemsweresoclosethiseventwasdeemedasuccess.

Gilda’sClubliaisonsrequestedspecificgiftcardsfortheHolidayDriveinDecember.

FigureVIshowsallthedonations,whichwereusedforthefamiliesofGCNNJ.

FigureVI:GiftCardsDonated

GiftCard #ofgiftcards Gift Card # of gift cards DunkinDonuts 1 RiteAid 1Macy’s 1 BestBuy 1PaneraBread 1 A&P 2Target 3 HomeDepot 8Walgreens 1 ShopRite 6GAP 1 Staples 6

Total 32

Thenumberofgiftcardsdonatedexceededthegoal.Sincethereweresomanyotherdrives

takingplacebyotherschoolclubs,thechairperson’ssetthegoalatonly15.Thenumberof

giftcardswasmorethandoublethegoal.Thesuccessofthisdrivemaybeattributedtothe

promotionalflyerandthefactthatDECAmemberswantedtogivebackduringthisholiday

seasonaspartoftheircommunityservice.

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4.ProvidevolunteersforGilda'sClubfundraisingeventsandparties.

ThegoalsoffillingallthevolunteeringspotsweremetfortheeventsofChico’s,Saks

FifthAvenue,andtheLOL5.AtChico’stherewerefifteenDECAmembers,atSaksthere

weretwelveDECAmembers,andatLOL5therewerethirteenDECAmembers.Inaddition,

thestorybookwasalsoasuccessasallthepageswerefilledupwithbytheendofthe

HolidayHooplatomakeonecompletestorythroughtheparticipationofforty-nineDECA

members.However,therewereonlyfiveDECAmembersatthedecoratingforNoogiefest

andonlyfourDECAmembersattheholidayparty.Thiswasbecausetheseeventswere

duringtheweekdayanditwasdifficultforDECAmemberstotravelduetoother

extracurricularactivitiesandrushhourtraffic

Overall.Theprojectwasasuccessthroughitsmanycomponents.The

communicationbetweenthechairpersonsandtheNHDECAChapterwasdonesmoothlyto

beatservicetoallofGCNNJ’sneeds.Eachevent,whetheritwasbyfundraisers,

volunteering,ordonations,werethoughtoutcarefullytocreatethemaximumimpactfor

theclubhouse.Promotionswerealldoneinaweek’snoticetospreadawarenessviamany

outlets,suchasFacebook,Instagram,e-mail,posters,andflyers.Thisallowedenoughtime

forpeopletohelpoutwithanyoftheplannedeventsthattheNHDECAChapterwas

involvedin.Theprojectwasasuccessduetoitslowlevelofstressfromgreattime

managementandcommunication,spreadingawareness,andimpactingthestudentbodyon

thephilosophyofGilda’sClub.

Chairpersons.Thechairpersonsworkedextremelywellwitheachotherthrough

theprojectandmeeteverydeadlineinadvance.Theyhadgreattimemanagementwith

planningeventsandalwaysstrivedtocommittothebestoftheirabilities.Throughgreat

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representationandleadershipbythechairpersons,thisallowedthemtomeetthegoalof

spreadingawarenesstothestudentbodyofGCNNJandinthecommunityatlocalevents.

Problemsfaced.OnAllendaleFestivalDay,October4th,itrainedtheentireday.

Thisgreatlyimpactedtheprojectasfortycookiesandfifteent-shirtswereaskedtobesold

bytheGilda’sClubliaisons.Usuallytherearehundredsofpeoplethatwalkaroundatthe

manycommunitybooths,howeverduetotheraintherewasnoonethereandtheNHDECA

Chapterhadtoleaveearly.Thechairpersonsdidnotlettherainstopthemthoughasthe

followingFridaytheywenttotheNHRHSPepRallyfootballgametomakeupforthelossin

donationsandsales.Successfully,allfortycookiesweresold,butnot-shirtsweresold.The

realizationoft-shirtsaleswasthattheywerethirty-fivedollarsashirt,andnostudent

carriedorcouldspendthattypeofmoney.

OntheoriginaldateoftheDanceforaCauseevent,March5th,alargesnowstorm

tookplace.Thiswasoriginallytheopeningnight,butduetotheweathertheshowwas

movedtoSundaynight,March8th.BecauseDanceforaCausewasrescheduled,lesspeople

whowereoriginallycommittedtodancingcouldnolongerparticipate.However,everyone

whooriginallysigneduphandedintheirdonations,makingthefundraisingeffortasuccess.

Finally,thelastproblemthatoccurredwasgettingstudentstocometothe

clubhouseinHackensackduringtheweekdays.Studentslovedtosignupandvolunteeron

theweekendsanddonatethroughthedrivesatschool,howevertravellingtoHackensackis

difficultonaschoolnight.Thisisbecauseofrushhourtrafficongettingtotheclubhouseon

timeandthefactthatstudentshavehomeworkandareinvolvedinotherextracurricular

activities.

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B.Impactofthecommunityserviceorcharitableproject

WorkingwithGCNNJtohelpsufficetheneedsofthepatientsandliaisonshasbeen

veryrewardingwiththehelpoftheNHDECAChapter.Theliaisonshavetoldthe

chairpersonsonnumerousoccasionshowmuchtheyhavecontributedonaweeklybasis

viaemailandphonecalls.Throughtheseformsofcommunication,manyofpeopleatthe

clubhousehavecommentedonhowhelpfultheNHDECAChapterhasbeen,aswellasthe

representativesatalltheevents.Onthecommunity,peoplehavebecomemoreawareof

Gilda’sClubanditsphilosophy.Bythemanyformsofmedia,likeposters,Instagram,

Facebook,andemail,theGilda’sClublogoisnowrecognizableandhasbecomeaname

amongstthestudentbody.Afterseeingtheclubhouseandthefamiliesthatwerebeing

helped,itbecameprevalentinshowcasingtothestudentsthesmallactstheycould

contributetowardsthischarity.Thesemanydriveswouldthereforeallowstudentsinour

chaptertomakeanimpactsincethereare305chaptermembers.Thegoalwasforstudents

toempathizewiththefamiliesandrealizethattheycanhelp,eveninsmallwaysby

supportingthisorganizationandtheactivitiesitofferspeopleaffectedbycancer.

C.Recommendation(s)forfutureprojects

Everyprojecthasitsimprovements,asdoesthisone.Forthefuture,pickinga

charitythatisclosertotheschoolisalwayshelpful.Hackensack,whereGCNNJislocated,is

onlyatwentyminutedrive,howeverthereisusuallyalotofrushhourtrafficthatcan

easilytakeuptoanhourtogettotheclubhouse.Thismadeitdifficulttogetstudentsto

GCNNJduringtheweek,asittravellingtotheclubhousecanbechaotic.Therefore,location

iskey.

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Oneofthesuccessesfromthisprojectwasthatthechairpersonscommunicated

weeklywiththeGilda’sClubliaisons.Havingsuchacloserelationshipmadeiteasytoplan,

coordinate,andfollow-upwithevents.GCNNJalsohadalotofpremadeflyersandposters

fortheirevents,whichmadeiteasytopromoteGilda’sClubatitsevents,aswellaseducate

DECAmembersaboutGilda’sClub.Asecondarybenefitofthemanypremadeflyersis

chairpersonscouldspendmoretimecreatingflyersforNHChapterevents.

Finally,thebiggestrecommendationistopickacharitythathasalottooffertothe

community.GCNNJalwayshadeventsgoingoneverymonth,whichmadeiteasytohave

theNHDECAChapterassisttheliaisons.Thisalsomadeiteasyforthechairpersonsto

coordinatewithDECAmembersandcreatesideprojectsandeventsforthecharitysince

theyalreadyhadanestablishedreputationfortheirbigevents.Therefore,thishadamajor

impactontheclubhousethroughtheassistanceoftheirownevents,withtheadditionof

theNHDECAChapter’sevents.

VI.BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/34/3400700.html

http://www.city-data.com/city/Saddle-River-New-Jersey.html

http://www.northernhighlands.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=1

http://www.gildasclubnnj.org/#!about/c1x1t

http://www.gildasclubnyc.org/About/history.html

http://www.cancer.org/research/cancerfactsstatistics/

30

VII.APPENDIX

A.ArtDriveFlyer B.ThanksgivingDriveFlyer

C.StorybookFlyer D.DavidYurmannecklace