Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • December 22, 2010 Mahwah District leads schools in raising funds for vets by Frank J. McMahon Once again, a Mahwah school student took the lead in motivating students in school districts all over Bergen County to support the non-profit Homes for Our Troops organization that builds homes for severely disabled veterans. Kristin Kosch, a Mahwah High School senior who will attend Seton Hall University next year on a soccer scholarship, coordinated the effort among students in all the schools in Bergen County. Students were asked to donate $1 to the cause on Veterans Day. That effort has resulted in $40,000 in donations from 45 school districts, with $12,000 more expected to be donated this school year, according to Kosch. John Gonzalez, the president and founder of Homes for Our Troops, attended a recent board of education meeting and presented Kosch with a framed self-portrait drawing done by a disabled veteran who was an artist when he lost both arms in the Iraq war, but still manages to draw “spectacular” pictures, according to Superintendent Charles Montesano. Marine Corporal Visnu Gonzalez, a paralyzed war veteran who recently moved into a home that was built in Hillsdale under the auspices Homes for Our Troops, also attended the board meeting. Students from the participating Bergen County schools presented their thanks and their checks to him. In 2004, a sniper’s bullet struck Gonzalez while he was fighting in Fallujah, Iraq. It was the second tour of duty for the Dominican-born soldier who grew up dreaming about becoming a Marine. He survived, but lost the use of his legs and has limited use AAA honors police At a recent AAA Community Traffic Safely Program, Mahwah police officials received an Outstanding Achievement Award. The award is presented to communities to recognize their traffic safety program activities. The Mahwah Police Department has been very active in educating the public on the proper installation of child safety seats. In addition, they conduct bicycle safety programs that include free helmets. The department has an aggressive campaign to reduce traffic crashes through intersection inspections checkpoints and a program to reduce speeding in residential areas with the use of a trailer that shows drivers their speed. Pictured are: Mahwah Police Officer Kevin Tielemans, AAA North Jersey President James Dobi, and Lieutenant Scott Cherven. SHOTMEYER BROS. “We’re the Energy Experts!” of his hands. Kosch’s father, Kevin, a retired police officer, helped build the house that was custom-built to accommodate Gonzalez’s needs. The house features wheelchair access throughout, an elevator, lowered countertops, solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and lower energy consumption electronic lighting. “It was really neat to have all those kids from around Bergen County come to our meeting and present those checks,” Montesano said after the meeting, adding that he would like to see the fundraising effort expanded statewide. The Mahwah school district’s involvement began four years ago when Kosch’s brother, Matthew, decided he wanted to do something for the disabled veterans. His father researched the Homes for Our Troops organization and found that it was included in the list of Top-Rated Veterans & Military Charities by the American Institute of Philanthropy, one of the country’s premier charity watchdog organizations. Matthew then started a fundraiser to collect $1 from each Mahwah school student to contribute. After Matthew graduated from Mahwah High School, Kristin assumed the responsibility for the annual fund drive in the township’s schools. He is now a junior at Villanova University and is in the Marine ROTC program. Montesano suggested the fundraising effort be expanded to all the school districts in the county, and brought the suggestion to a meeting of county superintendents. Soon, most of the schools in Bergen County began to participate in the fund drive. Homes for Our Troops is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization. Just a Click Away! www.villadom.com The Finest Heating Oil and Service Company in the Industry! AUTOMATIC DELIVERY! COMPLETE INSTALLATION! EMERGENCY SERVICE! Dependable, Reliable Service for Over 80 Years! Visit Our Website: Thousands r of Readers Ove se and Above Tho r u Who Receive O Paper in the Mail! Direct Links to Advertisers’ Websites! Call Us Today! 973-427-1000 Read Our Other Editions Too! Current & Past!