Mariner Middle adopts Staten Island school

Stacks of goods donated to help students at a Staten Island school recovering from superstorm Sandy are piling up in Peggy McDaniel's classroom.

"The kids all know this could've been us," said McDaniel, a Junior Honor Society adviser for Mariner Middle.

While trying to figure out how Mariner could help areas hit hardest by the storm, honor society students came up with a simple choice: adopt a school.

With the help of a friend who lives on Staten Island, McDaniel said they found a school whose students were affected by the storm. McDaniel, who is in almost daily contact with school officials at PS50, said the principal has asked for school supplies, puzzles, books, games and other comforts of home. The school has 842 students in kindergarten through fifth-grade, she said.

Mariner Junior Honor Society members have been busy getting the word out.

"We've been talking about it a lot. We put it on the morning announcements and have passed out flyers," said eighth-grader Madi Bada.

"Everyone's pretty excited about it," said Junior Honor Society President Alvina Afrifa.

In addition to boxes, bags and bookbags full of supplies stacked in McDaniel's room Monday – the first day of the collection – cash donations are also coming in.

McDaniel said if this keeps up she would need plenty of boxes with lids on them for the students to carry. Mariner is collecting donations until Friday, Dec. 7. On Tuesday, Dec. 11, students will load up a donated Jor-Lin bus and head to Staten Island to deliver the items in person.

Junior Honor Society member Heidi Knutsen has never been to Staten Island and she looks forward to the experience. "I'm excited about going," she said.

Other schools in the district such as neighboring Milton and H.O. Brittingham elementary schools are pitching in, too.

McDaniel said the project fits well with the society's public service efforts.

"I don't think we can do more of a public service than this," she said.

Donations may be dropped off at Mariner Middle School or at collection boxes placed at area businesses. There are boxes at Kids' Ketch in Lewes, Bellinger's Jewelers in Rehoboth Beach and Gooden's Floral Shop in Milford.

For more information, call McDaniel or Terry Tappan at 302-684-8516.