Over $65,000 has gone to families in need since 2015
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
Clearview Regional students, staff and administrators are gearing up for what is considered to be the school district’s biggest fundraising event.
Juniors Ray Milavsky and Helena Reynolds, co-chairs for the fifth annual Hoagies 4 Hope event, said they’re excited to see how well the community turns out this year based on what they’ve witnessed in past years.
Hoagies 4 Hope is an annual fundraiser for four families who are facing serious medical ailments or setbacks. The district collects orders throughout January from the community, and has hundreds of volunteers pack two-foot hoagies on Super Bowl Sunday. The day was deliberately chosen because many people are hosting or attending parties that day, and was inspired by Washington Township’s hoagie event.
Meats, rolls, cheese and all other typical hoagie ingredients are donated by the Liccio family, who owns grocery markets throughout the area.
“It’s kind of a culture shock because it’s our first time we’ve organizing this event and being such a big part,” said Reynolds. “There are so many families in our community who’ve always contributed, and it’s fulfilling to put a name to a face.”
“It’s amazing to have this kind of interaction with the community and to be in this position where you can have an effect on a lot of people within the community, and seeing how these things affect these people is kind of amazing,” said Milavsky.
A few days ago, the two interviewed a past recipient who told them how grateful she was for the Hoagies 4 Hope event and everyone involved. The former recipient, Reynolds said, has been volunteering in the fundraiser since receiving the donations.
One recipient this year will be an anonymous student who is currently homeless.
“For the students to understand what homelessness is, is very different,” said Paul Sommers, guidance counselor and student council advisor. “We don’t understand it, I think, very well in this district. We have our homeless liaison, Jamie Pallies, who does a great job of that during Christmas and Thanksgiving, but we always say ‘what else? What other parts of the year could we help them?’”
Sommers added the other three recipients are a Mantua elementary school student who just received open heart surgery, a student from Harrison’s elementary district whose parent had dialysis, and a Clearview alum battling an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Last year, they raised more than $20,000 and they hope to hit $25,000 this year. The event has raised more than $65,000 since 2015.
“I think people actually really respond well to helping out those in need,” said Sommers. “You never know when a situation could arise and there’s a major problem, God forbid. It could be you. People kind of see that and are like, ‘what if I was in that situation, how can I help out.’”
Milavsky and Reynolds said they’ve been in constant contact with neighboring Kingsway Regional for hoagie orders and volunteers as well.
“They’re so willing and excited to help out with our student council and their advisor, Apryl Palazzo, has been really helpful,” said Reynolds. “It seems right. They’re five minutes down the road and their community is our community. We, of course, want to reach out and help as many families as we can, so that was the next step.”
Other proceeds for the event are also generated through an annual Polar Plunge at Lake Gilman on Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. organized by Dave Diehl, Henry Amanto and their families.
The two students have future hopes of partnering with Kingsway for a friendly competition, but currently have their sights set on getting orders in before the deadline and to pack hoagies with the volunteers on Feb. 3.
“It’s really a community event,” said Sommers. “We have students, their parents and the elementary students with administrators making hoagie trays, John Horchak and Keith Brook are there making hoagie trays. It’s the ultimate community event, in our prospective.”
Hoagies can be picked up at the athletics entrance at Clearview High School between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Orders can be placed until Jan. 23 in any of the three districts (Clearview, Harrison and Mantua). Hoagies are $10 for two feet, $40 for an assorted tray (classic Italian, ham and turkey) and forms can found on www.Facebook.com/Hoagies4Hope.
Prospective sponsors can inquire about the event by visiting the fundraiser’s Facebook page, filling out the requested form and returning it to either Clearview middle or high schools’ main offices with payment by Jan. 17. Those wishing to volunteer can contact Sommers by email at [email protected] or Christina Boody at [email protected].
