Number of Participants: 2
Hours Donated: 20
Value of Time Served: $338
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Other
Date: September 28, 2021
Location:
Wantagh
NY, USA
About:
A pair of Wantagh High School students, who volunteer their time every summer to help children and adults with disabilities, were recently featured on NBC’s home renovation show “George to the Rescue.”
This time the setting was the Town of Hempstead’s Camp ANCHOR in Lido Beach, where seniors Bella Nocera and Kevin Pfundstein are volunteers for the six-week summer recreation program. They are featured at the beginning of the episode, which aired on Sept. 18, asking host and contractor George Oliphant to come to the camp and beautify the handball court. Wantagh High School teacher Gina Federico, Camp ANCHOR’s volunteer coordinator, tapped the pair for the national TV spot, in which Bella and Kevin also discussed the mission of Camp ANCHOR, the role of volunteers and the importance of the program for the campers.
Bella, who has volunteered for the past three summers, was initially inspired to get involved because she has cousins who attend the camp.
“I just fell in love with the program from the first day I started working there,” she said. “Everyone is always happy and our campers are such kind, caring people.”
Kevin just completed his second summer as a volunteer. He has a cousin with cerebral palsy and said that sparked his desire to help people with disabilities. Camp ANCHOR is just a big family, he said, where “the campers are the stars.”
On “George to the Rescue,” the handball court was turned into a miniature golf course for the campers. Bella and Kevin said it was exciting to watch the show and see which parts of their interviews were used. While they admitted that it was little weird to see themselves on television, they were glad to see the camp get the recognition it deserves.
At Wantagh High School, Kevin is president of Science Olympiad and treasurer of the National Honor Society. Bella is a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club and is a Class of 2022 officer.
Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone said it is always rewarding to see Wantagh High School students share their passion for helping others and noted that the volunteer work by Bella and Kevin is inspirational.
““We’re so proud of them for taking what they love to do and sharing it with others in the Long Island region,” he said. “They’re a great representation of what this school and community is all about.”
Photo caption: Wantagh High School seniors Bella Nocera and Kevin Pfundstein volunteer with Camp ANCHOR’s summer recreation program and were featured on a recent episode of “George to the Rescue,” which built a miniature golf course there.
Photos courtesy of the Wantagh School District