By David Karas | Correspondent

When Superstorm Sandy ravaged the New Jersey shore, it dealt a devastating blow to St. Rose High School, Belmar – leaving behind more than $6 million in damage to first floor classrooms and labs, offices and the cafeteria.

The school community mobilized and was able to reopen the school just two weeks after the storm, and in the years since, extensive renovations have worked towards making necessary renovations and restoring learning space and facilities for students and faculty.

This year, school officials have announced that St. Rose is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving intended to harness the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity across the globe.

“St. Rose joined #GivingTuesday because setting aside a day for charitable giving in the midst of the craziness of holiday shopping was an idea that resonated with the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph who founded St. Rose High School,” said Nancy McGaughan, director of development for the school. “Of course, we are hoping that along with the rest of their charitable giving, people think of St. Rose and make a contribution.”

Held this year on Dec. 1, #GivingTuesday is the brainchild of 92Y, a cultural center in New York City that conceptualized the day to link individuals and causes at a time of year characterized by both gift shopping and philanthropy.  In 2014, the third year of the program, #GivingTuesday reached 30,000 partners in 68 countries, registering 32.7 million impressions on Twitter and 698,600 mentions of its hashtag. Since 2012, online giving the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has increased more than four-fold.

“We have been incredibly inspired by the generosity in time, efforts and ideas that have brought our concept for a worldwide movement into reality,” said Henry Timms, founder of

#GivingTuesday and executive director of 92Y. “As we embark on our fourth year of #GivingTuesday, we are encouraged by the early response from partners eager to continue making an impact in this global conversation.”  

McGaughan said that all donations will be contributed to the 2015-16 St. Rose Annual Fund.

“Our goal is to raise funds to continue the renovations needed after the devastating destruction St. Rose faced from Superstorm Sandy, and to offset those expenses not covered by student tuition,” said McGaughan. “Gifts to the 2015-16 St. Rose Annual Fund through #GivingTuesday will directly benefit St. Rose students, and help St. Rose as we plan for our future.”

She said that Superstorm Sandy left a pronounced mark on the school’s facilities, prompting a massive effort involving students, parents, teachers and alumni to work towards reopening the school and undertaking renovation projects.

“Renovations were made to the areas affected by the flooding and now St. Rose has some beautiful new classrooms and student areas,” she said. “We would like to continue those renovations to include the floors not damaged in the storm so that all of St. Rose is modernized. We feel our students, who are so wonderful and talented, deserve learning spaces which inspire them. “

Those interested in taking part in the St. Rose #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.strose.k12.nj.us.