Bloomingdale Student Collects Gloves for Less Fortunate

Christian Ferrara, a seventh grade student at , was recently named a finalist in The Wallenberg Honors Program which is sponsored by The Wallenberg Foundation of New Jersey, Inc.

The primary goal of the program is to honor the memory of Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat in Hungary during World War II whose heroic efforts saved the lives of thousands of Jews who would have perished in concentration camps. The program recognizes students from different counties in New Jersey who act with courage and compassion in their service to others, in the performance of an act of heroism or bravery, or in promoting understanding, acceptance, tolerance and peace in their school or community. Ferrara will represent Passaic and Sussex Counties.

In his nomination of Ferrara, Frank Verducci, Principal of Walter T. Bergen Middle School, described a community service project which Ferrara began last year when he collected gently used baseball gloves to be donated to the Father English Community Center in Paterson, New Jersey.

“After outgrowing a used, hand-me-down catcher’s mitt, Christian wanted to share his love of baseball with those less fortunate” Verducci said. “This act of unselfishness and compassion for other children his age best exemplifies the goals of The Wallenberg Honors Program.”

Ferrara and other finalists from around northern New Jersey will be feted at on May 15, at which time the Distinguished Honoree and Honoree will be announced from among the finalists.

Anyone wishing to donate a glove or baseball bat may call the WTB Main Office, 973-838-4835 for more information.