By EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor
Brooke and Riley Pulaski have taken their Catholic school lessons on outreach to heart by establishing a nonprofit that seeks to bring healthfulness a step closer for Catholic schools in the Diocese who could use additional resources.
Their organization, “For the Love of Recess, Inc.,” originated in the summer of 2023 when the two seventh-grade students of St. Gregory the Great School, Hamilton Square, visited Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Asbury Park, to witness its summer program in action and to discuss with OLMC interim principal Katie O’Meara how they might find a way to help.
Kindergarten students in Our Lady of Mount Carmel School enjoy scooterboards donated by For the Love of Recess. Courtesy photo
“One of the things they needed was recess equipment,” Riley noted. Brooke observed that “schools don’t always have the budget to replace equipment … [students] need time to relax and unwind,” and having updated equipment “helps promote healthy lifestyles.”
The sisters formed their organization with the help of their mother, Shannon Pulaski, an attorney and executive director of the Mike & Patti Hennessy Foundation, which granted the Diocese funding for its 2023 Catholic schools’ summer enrichment programs.
They built a website and reached out to a friend’s gym teacher father for ideas, building an Amazon wish list of indoor and outdoor options to guide donations.
“We tried to have a lot of different types of equipment that can be used in different ways,” Riley said, including for gym class, indoor recess or for students healing from an injury that might temporarily prevent outdoor play.
Advertising their collection in the fall yielded over $1,000-worth of equipment to fill three large boxes, which the Pulaskis delivered to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in December.
“The delivery included roller scooters, bubbles, chalk, board games and jump ropes,” Riley said.
“I was blown away when [I saw] what they had accomplished,” said O’Meara. “I was so impressed with their drive and initiative to help others. When unboxing the items, I could tell how much thought went into the items.
“With Brooke and Riley’s support, we are able to provide our students with safe and engaging materials during their recess time,” she continued. “This means more opportunities for physical activity, social interaction and creative play, all of which are essential for our students’ overall growth and academic success.”
Emboldened by their first effort, the sisters have initiated their first “Spread the Love” campaign, coinciding with Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
“We’re asking the entire school to participate,” Brooke explained. “We don’t have a school in mind right now” to which the proceeds will go, “but Asbury Park is going to give us a few more ideas from other schools.”
Riley agreed, noting that “eventually we’d like to branch out” and invite participants from surrounding schools in the Diocese. “In the future we want to grow an ambassador program so kids can form their own foundation.
“Observing how our children’s education instills the values of service and generosity is a true blessing,” Shannon said. “Witnessing their commitment firsthand fills us with pride, and we are grateful for the solid foundation of faith that propels their efforts.”
To learn more or to contribute, visit www.fortheloveofrecess.org.
Katie O’Meara, interim principal in Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, stands with Riley and Brooke Pulaski and the three large boxes of recess supply donations they delivered in December.
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