Seaford Student Finds Colorful Way to Give

A Seaford High School student is doing her part to brighten up the lives of hospitalized children. Sophomore Sarah Keane recently spearheaded a successful crayon collection, receiving donations from students, staff and neighbors.

Keane belongs to the Henrik Lundquist Foundation’s Young Ambassadors program, which recently called on its members to collect used and broken crayons to be melted down and turned into new crayons. The Crayon Initiative helps provide a sense of normalcy and relief for children at hospitals across the country. In a week and a half after the holiday break, she received thousands of old crayons., which she brought to the Foundation in New York City on Jan. 13.

With support from Principal Scott Bersin and art teachers, Keane placed collection bins in the main office and in art classrooms, and promoted the drive by hanging fliers around the school. The bins quickly filled up.

“It was nice that people were willing to take a few minutes, look through things and find crayons to donate,” she said. “It shows that Seaford is a very giving place. This is a small act that can make a big impact in a child’s life.”

Keane commits many hours of her life to community service. She is active in the Seaford High School Key Club, is a volunteer instructor on Sundays with the Shooting Stars track club for children with special needs based at Mepham High School, and volunteers at Sensory Beans, a children’s gym, in Wantagh. – Seaford School District