MENDHAM -- In October 2012, North Brunswick High School’s faculty held the first “Jeans Day” to benefit the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS). Since then, six other Jeans Days – in which faculty donate up to $5 for the right to wear jeans for the day – have taken place at schools in every corner of New Jersey, including one at Mountain View Middle School in Mendham.
Mountain View collected $145 from its Jeans Day in December, which was set up by fifth-grade teacher Kerri McCaffrey. In conjunction with Mountain View’s Jeans Day, student Casey Warcola, 11, sold “I’m An Upstander” Tourette Syndrome awareness bracelets as part of a project for Boy Scout Troop 1 in Mendham and netted an additional $70 in donations.
"Many of us participated, wanting to help people with Tourette Syndrome and associated disorders," McCaffrey said of the Mountain View faculty. "I was proud to have Casey Warcola help with setting up the collection box for the (Jeans Day) and for the bracelet pick-up. We know the money will help make better lives for people with Tourette Syndrome. We are humbled to be able to help just a little."
Tourette Syndrome is an inherited, misunderstood, misdiagnosed neurological disorder characterized by sounds and movements known as tics that affects 1 in100 children, teenagers and adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in the eyes of NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice, advocacy efforts such as these Jeans Days will have impact on the TS community for many years to come.
"We are truly grateful for the fundraising and awareness efforts of the students and faculty at Mountain View Middle School in Mendham, and thank them for teaming up to support the Tourette Syndrome community," Rice said. "We graciously accept these donations, which will effectively serve the children and families throughout New Jersey through our statewide education outreach, peer advocacy and family support initiatives."
For information on how to host a Jeans Day in your school district, or for more information about Tourette Syndrome or the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome, please call 908-575-7350 or visit www.njcts.org.
