Buckley Country Day School Student Council leaders and project volunteers are pleased to welcome and present to parent Dr. Delcasse Joseph a check reflecting their fundraising efforts for Haitian relief for the Overseas Medical Assistance Team. Lt. to rt.: Sarah O’Sullivan, Ronald Joseph of Baldwin, Riley Denihan, Dr. Joseph, Anthony Benja-Athon, Naseer Muhammad of Roosevelt, and Dylan McKibbins. Within 24 hours of the devastating Haitian earthquake, Buckley Country Day School Student Council, on behalf of the entire school community, framed an action plan to raise funds for the victims of this disaster.

The first effort included a bake sale and coin collection, yielding $2,570.98, which was presented to Buckley parent Dr. Delcasse Joseph of the Overseas Medical Assistance Team. Dr. Joseph addressed Buckley students and shared with them his recent experience as part of OMAT who traveled to Haiti in the days after the initial earthquake. He invited students to reflect on whether they want to live their lives on the sidelines or in the trenches. “In order to be able to help others,” Dr. Joseph told the students, “you must work hard to do your best and prepare yourselves, because without the right tools, you can not accomplish your goals.” He also tied his comments to the Buckley Honor Roll Assembly, inspiring both the students who had made the honor roll and those who had not. “My wife taught me that there are flowers that bloom in the early spring and those that bloom in the late fall,” said Dr. Joseph encouragingly.

In addition, the Buckley Student Council raised funds at their winter semi-formal dance through a ribbon sale, the entrance fee, and raffle. The proceeds totaled another $1,642 which students presented to Buckley parent Mrs. Terri Muran, President of the Save the Children Leadership Council of Long Island.

Commenting on these efforts, Buckley Headmaster Dr. Jean-Marc Juhel said, “The Buckley community is humbled by, and proud of, the work that Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Muran are doing to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.” Dr. Juhel then thanked all the students for their initiatives and their parents for supporting their desire to help others.

To see Dr. Joseph’s full presentation, including the video of his recent Haitian experience, visit the Media Gallery of the Buckley website at www.buckleycountryday.com.