Rockland Students Help Write "Surviving Sandy"

Pascack Valley Learning Center students, faculty and parents collaborated with Four Color Planet to complete the 300-page book Surviving Sandy, which details the storm, the challenges faced by those impacted by it and the work of volunteers tohelp them.

Pascack Vallalley Learning Center draws from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, so the 115 member student body felt the effects of the storm. Students working on the book included Seth MacGregor, Kristy MacGregor, Lucas Walker and Ian MacGregor from West Nyack and Trent Mornan of Piermont. 

In the days after the storm, Pascack Valley Learning Center students donated funds from  previously-planned bake sale to Hurricane Sandy victims and held, clothing, food and toy drives, with donations going to the United Way, People to People and the Red Cross.

The students, faculty and parents then moved on to the book. They collected stories and photos and interviewed people such as New York City Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano and Seaside Heights, NJ Police Chief Tommy Boyd. 

"The fundraising efforts and the ideas for this book came from the hearts of the students," said Pascack Valley Principal Jeanette Fratello. "It proves that young people can make a difference."

The charities that will benefit from sales of the book include Tunnels tot he Towers Foundation, Red Cross, New York Says Thank You Foundation, Pet Safe, Catholic Charities and The First Response Team of America. To find out more or to order copies of the book, go to www.survivingsandybook.com.