Erin Bonafede, a junior at High School North; and Eric Daniels, a special education teacher at High School South, will be honored at KidsBridge Tolerance Museum’s Young Humanitarian ceremony on Thursday, June 16, at the College of New Jersey. Acts of humanitarianism and community service are recognized by the organization designed to support character education in schools. Awards are presented to individuals, groups, and adults (including guidance counselors, teachers, and principals). A team of independent judges from the Mercer County community reviewed the nominations and selected the winners, who each receive a plaque and gifts.
Bonafede has been highly committed to her charitable work through school, church, and community organizations. She is vice president and coordinator of fundraising for Kids for Kids, an organization at North that provides weekly visits to the Trenton Christian Academy to tutor, mentor, and talk to grammar school children at risk. She is also a member of the Larkability Club at North where teens socialize with Larks, self-described outcasts. A member of the varsity field hockey team at North, she studies karate in West Windsor. She also volunteers for the summer program at St. David the King Church.
The Bonafede family moved to West Windsor from Staten Island eight years ago. Erin’s father, Joseph, is a retired New York City detective; and her mother, Ellen, worked for the New York City Board of Education. Now they have a home-based business working with security and smart cards for businesses. Erin, the middle child, has two sisters, Jillian, a senior at North; and Giovanna (Vanna), an eighth grade student at Community Middle School.
How did they choose West Windsor? “We don’t know. My husband looked for a wooded area and I looked at the beach,” says Ellen. “We wanted the girls to attend St. Paul’s Church in Princeton but they only had room for two of them. They attended Dutch Neck and Village schools, and we were so thrilled that they really blossomed.”
“Erin represents the kind of well-rounded teenager we need more of today, and is one of those unique individuals who already knows she will devote her life to helping children with special needs,” says Carrie Wainwright of West Windsor, who nominated her for the award. Wainwright’s daughter, Julia, is friends with Erin.
Soon after the Bonafede family moved in they met a young neighbor who has cerebral palsy. Through working as a mother’s helper Erin learned how to care for the young girl with multiple physical disabilities and confined to a wheelchair. “Erin and her sisters never fail to make her feel welcome at gatherings, making her feel included in the greater community — an opportunity relatively rare for children with physical disabilities,” says Wainwright. Erin also works with a boy with special needs. “This child has become so attached to Erin that she is always invited to milestone occasions in addition to her babysitting,” says Wainwright.
Daniels, involved in the lives of students both in and out of the classroom for 13 years, coaches athletic teams, advises clubs, chaperones school trips, and is the voice of South at athletic events. He is involved in collection campaigns of food or clothing items for the Trenton Soup Kitchen, the Plainsboro Food Pantry, and Anchor House. He raised funds to take students from the Cherry Tree Club, an organization that provides a free preschool program for homeless and at-risk children, to Camden Aquarium.
“He feels compelled to help those who are in need and is simply unable to turn a blind eye to someone in need of assistance,” says Roseann Bonino, principal at South. “He instills this sense of community service and giving to his students by the example that he sets.”
“The youngsters and educators who win these awards go above and beyond,” says Lynne Azarchi, executive director of Kidsbridge and a resident of West Windsor. “This year’s group includes kids who raised money for tsunami victims and cancer and educators who inspire kids to be kind and do community service to help those less fortunate.”
“I feel extremely honored to be receiving this award. I take pride in the community service and volunteering which I take part in, and it means a lot that it is being recognized,” says Bonafede. “As I am getting ready to apply for college, I am interested in going into special education, whether it be teaching or some sort of physical therapy. My goal is to work with special needs children in the future in some capacity.”
— Lynn Miller
Humanitarian Awards Celebration, Kidsbridge Children’s Museum, College of New Jersey, Ewing, 609-581-0239. www.kidsbridgemuseum.org. Students and educators will be honored for acts of humanitarianism and community service. The organization, dedicated to tolerance and human diversity, provides anti-bullying, victim empowerment, and life skill programs in area schools. Family festival and open house at the tolerance museum followed by the ceremony in Roscoe West Hall, Room 201 at 7 p.m. Register. $10. Thursday, June 16, 6 p.m.
The museum features exhibits on bullying, name calling, prejudice, discrimination, self-esteem, heroes, Darfur, sensitivities to persons with disabilities, and stereotypes. It is open to school, faith-based and day camp groups, leadership groups, and scouts.
