Grand Island High School: Venture Yearbook gives back

Christopher Simpson, adviser of the Venture Yearbook at the high school, has announced that his staff has completed fundraising activities and continued its long tradition of giving back to the community. Staff and editors this year raised approximately $3,400 for Caralyn Reynolds, a student at Huth Road Elementary School. The staff provided her with gift cards and memberships to local attractions through their fundraising efforts during the 2012-13 school year.

Members of the club sold cookie dough, chocolate bars, candles, and holiday chocolate to raise the money. The gift cards included the Aquarium of Niagara Falls, Regal Cinemas, Chili's, the Skylon Tower, Rainforest Café, Cold Stone Creamery, and the Boulevard Mall.

Students in the past have contributed $5,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the granting of a local wish, money for the Lupus Foundation, MDA, Mended Little Hearts, and other organizations. They have also spent time on weekends working for Habitat for Humanity and the Buffalo City Mission.

Students with the Venture Yearbook at Grand Island High School raised $3,400 for the Reynolds family, whose daughter Caralyn is undergoing cancer treatment. From left: yearbook advisor Christopher Simpson, Courtney Mergel, Caralyn Reynolds, Sabrina Mistriner, Rebecca Hennessy, Sammantha Reynolds, Jonathan Simpson, Clare Ahne, Rochelle Cataffo, Patrycia Burley, Emily Reynolds, Jennifer Reynolds and Destiny Benjamin.