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March 12, 2008

Warming up to the task; Despite cold, students help raise $15,000 for ill grad

By Joe Pinchot

HERMITAGE — On Friday, when the snows hit, a number of Hickory High School students were standing outside three Hermitage businesses collecting donations.

“It was cold, but I stayed warm,” said senior Ross Zikmund, who was stationed outside Shop N’ Save for two hours. “The generosity of the people made it worth it to stand out there.”

The members of Hickory’s Students for Charity got a strong warm front of generosity in the last week, raising money for alum Stephen Comninos, who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

By collecting at businesses — including Giant Eagle — holding a walk-a-thon, and accepting donations, the students have raised more than $15,000.

“That’s amazing,” said junior Liz Wasilewski. “It makes me feel so good that people would help someone they don’t even know.”

Students for Charity co-adviser Laura Mount said the effort was going to be limited to teachers. It was reasoned that teachers remember Comninos, a 2001 graduate, but students don’t know him.

When Modern Woodmen of America agreed to match up to $2,500, the effort was brought to students. Within a few days, a plan was set, publicity was sought, and donations started pouring in.

“People have stopped in off the street to give cash and checks,” said Ms. Mount, a physical education teacher who had Stephen in school for four years.

The story of how the Comninos family has rallied around him has inspired community members to do the same with the family, she said.

“We’re helping a family here,” Ms. Mount said. “It’s not just a person with ALS.”

Seniors Carly Turk and Carly Fleming recalled the woman who walked out of Wal-Mart with only $2.

“She gave us both dollars,” Carly Turk said. “She said she would give us more if she could.”

“I’ve been involved with other fundraisers and never had such good results,” Carly Fleming said.

The Comninos family has been touched by the effort, said family friend Ryan Gotch, a substitute teacher at Hickory.

“John (Comninos, Stephen’s brother) was emotional toward the end of the fundraiser,” Gotch said of Saturday’s walk-a-thon. “He was emotional over everybody coming together. They (family) couldn’t thank everybody enough.”

“The best thing about it is the epicenter of it is young people,” said junior Olivia Ruth. “It’s so neat to see so many young people, and the whole community, come out for this. It’s so amazing.”

Gotch agreed.

“It’s really nice to see young people step up,” he said. “You know that, when they get older, they’ll do it again because they’ve seen the benefits firsthand.



Anyone wishing to donate can do so at Hickory High School, 640 N. Hermitage Road, 16148 — make out checks to Students for Charity — or at the Shenango Valley Foundation, 33 Chestnut Ave., Sharon, 16146, with checks made out to the Stephen Comninos Fund.

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