Youths work to distribute carbon monoxide detectors

BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - When a tragedy occurs the youngsters at the Carl W. Goetz Middle School step up to the plate and in so doing are now set to distribute about 500 carbon monoxide detectors.

"It's been almost one year since Jackson teenager Billy Miller succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning," said former mayor Michael Kafton, who initially helped to raise donations for the Miller family. "Out of that very dark tragedy, some light has emerged."

Billy died on June 15, 2006 of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at his home on Miller Avenue.

The pupils at Goetz, where Billy was a student, have been very busy throughout the 2006-07 school year raising funds to bring public awareness to the importance of having a carbon monoxide detector in every dwelling.

"When the kids came back to school in the fall they still had Billy on their minds and wondered what they could do to prevent another tragedy like the one that claimed Billy's life," said teacher Carol Lawrence, who has led the project along with teachers Debbie Potter and Adrienne Previtera.

At the time of Billy's death, many community members asked Kafton for assistance and he helped put together a car wash that raised almost $5,000 for the Miller family.

This week Kafton praised the students for their efforts to educate the public about carbon monoxide poisoning. He said Lowe's of Howell has donated more than 80 carbon monoxide detectors.

Meanwhile, the pupils have raised enough money to provide 500 carbon monoxide detectors to members of the public. The units will be distributed at the Goetz school, 835 Patterson Road, on June 2 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. There is no need to prove economic hardship to get a carbon monoxide detector.

The Kidde Corporation, a manufacturer of carbon monoxide detectors, sold the units at a discount to the school. Money was raised through fundraisers, with assistance from many local businesses.

In addition, the Goetz students received tickets for the May 29 Lakewood BlueClaws game which they sold and the proceeds went to obtain more detectors.

Johnny Carino's of Howell donated 15 percent of one evening's sales to the Goetz cause. A business directory, in which owners could list their business, was produced and sold for a $25 donation.

The Goetz school has been named the National School of Character for New Jersey as a result of this project and many other service learning projects.

"It's wonderful that the kids took on this responsibility, which really connects what they're learning to the real world," said Potter. "It often doesn't hit home until they actually work on something they can relate to."

"They took a tragedy and responded to it," Lawrence said. "They spent countless hours doing research, power point presentations and creating brochures all aimed at educating the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning."

Lawrence said the students want to keep Billy's memory alive and make certain that a tragedy like the one that claimed the youngster's life does not happen again.