Tyler Bardfeld, a seventh grade student at Community Middle School, recently orchestrated a successful food drive to help support victims of Hurricane Sandy. He collected enough non-perishable food to fill the family mini van several times.
The family was among the 20 percent of West Windsor residents who did not lose power. “It was a shock to us since we always lose power even on just a windy day,” says Tyler’s mother, Penny. “Last summer we lost power for five days during Hurricane Irene, so we were completely prepared this time, but aside from some flickers and loss of cable, we never lost it.”
The Bardfelds lost five large trees, including a shade and privacy tree in the backyard. They also lost a gutter and lots of shingles. “We just replaced the whole roof after the water started leaking into the kitchen,” says Penny. “But we all still do feel lucky.”
Tyler attends Sprout Lake Camp in New York where the campers participate in MADIMOW, “making a difference in my own way.” He has spent time working with farmers to help harvest crops as well as in a New York City soup kitchen. “He has always had an interest in helping to feed the less fortunate and had been thinking about initiating a community service project around the time of the hurricane,” says Penny.
“When Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey we were glued to the television and watched the devastation and destruction,” says Penny. “That is when Tyler sprung into action and together we pursued the possibility of a food drive to help the shore victims with no homes or power who were relying on shelters.”
Penny and Tyler reached out to Chris Cirkus, manager of the West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, about setting up a collection table as a drop off point. She indicated that Coldwell Banker already had plans to set up a table for its own food and supply drive. Tyler was able to join their efforts. The collected items were donated to Lackland Storage, which then delivered them to distribution points in the Point Pleasant area.
Tyler then received permission to publicize his Hurri-Can Relief project at Community Middle School from Virginia Baner, his team 7-C teacher. Gerard Dalton, the school principal, shared the project with the entire school, and the donations poured in over the next two weeks. Tyler also advertised to neighbors and friends, and received several donations during his trick-or-treating.
When more food items continued to pour into the school Bardfeld was able to donate the remaining boxes of food to Lunch Break, a Monmouth County soup kitchen providing food and meals to hurricane victims.
“I enjoy the Jersey shore and am always eager to spend a day there whenever we can get to the beach,” says Tyler. “I especially like going to Point Pleasant to play boardwalk games, eat junk food, visit the aquarium, and sit on the beach. I also enjoy hanging out at Belmar and sipping slurpees from the 7-11.”
The Bardfeld family moved to West Windsor in 1999 — the year before Tyler was born. His mother is a registered dietitian currently working as a sales rep for Nestle Nutrition Division, as well as a teacher of fitness classes at an area gym. His father, Lenny, is an engineer with Johnson & Johnson. His two older brothers, both students at High School North, are Jacob, a senior; and Eric, a freshman.
Tyler attends Hebrew School at Beth El Synagogue, where Bar Mitzvah students incorporate a community service project into their studies. He intends to incorporate the Hurri-can Relief project into his mitzvah project.
