BMS Greenhouse Club Raises Funds for Clean Water

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of science teacher Robert Iovino, Briarcliff Middle School students and the Greenhouse Club, children in a developing country will savor the feeling of clean running water for the first time in their lives. 

This year marks Briarcliff Middle School’s fifth annual Charity: Water fundraiser. Student members of the Greenhouse Club are raising money in homeroom classes, using recyclable water jugs that they have decorated for voluntary contributions. According to Mr. Iovino, the middle school’s generosity “has made a huge impact.” One hundred percent of the proceeds are used to help villages around the world with villagers reciprocating with notes of gratitude to the students.

In order to stir interest in Charity: Water, Mr. Iovino spoke with each grade level during their lunch period. The fundraising is scheduled to run for two weeks, and the homeroom that raises the most money will be declared the winner. The winning team will then face off against a team of teachers for an intense game of charity basketball, currently scheduled for June 13 at 1 p.m.

Mr. Iovino described the impact of having clean water, a commodity enjoyed by only approximately 11% of the world’s population. “When a water project is built in a community, members can often use the new water source to grow small gardens near their homes and secure their own food supply,” he said, going on to explain the many benefits statistically found in having clean water. “Clean water alone can reduce water-related deaths by 21%, sanitation alone can reduce deaths by 37.5%, and hand washing alone can reduce deaths by 35%. Charity: Water focuses on life’s most basic need – water.”

“Over the years,” he added, “I have seen an overwhelming degree of generosity from the students here in Briarcliff…so many of the students really go above and beyond to make a difference. It helps solidify the reason why we teach: to show our students that although they are a small percentage of over 7 billion people on this planet, they have the power to make a difference in the lives of others.” 

Charity: Water isn’t the only focus of the Greenhouse Club. Among other activities, the club has held coat drives, provided relief for Hurricane Sandy victims and organized a holiday boutique to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The students also helped to create and maintain “Academia,” the school’s outdoor education center, greenhouse and garden that serves as an ideal location for multidisciplinary study.

The club’s members expressed their interest in caring for the world and the people within it. “The earth is dying because of deforestation and the growing lack of ponds. I want to help improve our planet,” student Sam Thorogood explained. Fellow club member Amrita Makhijani added, “I know the earth is in trouble. I want to be a part of the earth’s survival.”

The Greenhouse Club wishes to thank the Briarcliff Manor Education Foundation for playing a pivotal role in their fundraising efforts.