Kerilyn Wuerz has volunteered to help people before, but this holiday season she aimed to make a greater impact.
Inspired by the stories from her Advanced Placement Psychology teacher, Jennifer Ogozalek, Wuerz set out to raise enough money so every child in the Stony Brook Hospital Cancer Center had a gift this year.
Wuerz raised money selling healthy snacks – smoothies and fruit salad – at Sachem North every day, recruited the help of her friends, shopped for every gift and wrapped them all as well. She was Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Santa’s helpers all in one and raised more than $4,000.
If that wasn’t enough, she also bought presents for the children’s siblings so they wouldn’t feel left out.
At the holiday party where the presents were handed out, more than 200 attended and watched as Wuerz put a smile on every child’s face.
“The whole process really touched me,” she said. “All my hard work and stress was really going to a good cause.”
Wuerz was quick to point out the help she received from her friends, the freshman class at Sachem North, Sachem North Assistant Principal Jose Cruz and the inspiration from Ogozalek.
“This wonderful young adult cares so much and she makes the world a beautiful place,” Ogozalek said. “I am so lucky to have a profession where I get to meet a person like her. She has made me a better person. She has so much to give.”
Wuerz is looking to study early child hood education and open her own pre-school in the future. This is not a surprise considering her giving nature and care for children.
“This was the best Christmas present I could have ever gotten,” Wuerz said. “Seeing them get presents, they were so grateful. It put everything in perspective. A lot of kids our age all they want is iPads. I don’t need an iPad, I have good health. I got to help other kids.”
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro