(CRESSKILL, NJ) -- Cresskill teenagers - Namhoon Lee, Jaeho Cho, Alex, and Daniel Dangelico, were inspired to create an organization that would give back to the community. "After two years of remote learning and social distancing, we wanted to bond to help those less fortunate," said former President and co-founder Namhoon Lee. These Cresskill H.S. seniors founded the organization titled, Beyond a Goal (B.A.G.); the mission is to help provide immediate attention to this ongoing crisis by fundraising in the community to provide backpacks filled with hygiene kits, extra shirts, water, protein bars, and masks to be distributed to the homeless throughout the NJ/NY area".
The Dangelico twins, co-founders, explained; "The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already dire homeless crisis in the Northern New Jersey and Manhattan area that many city officials were trying to combat. As the pandemic increased the importance of maintaining hygiene, the homeless were left to fend for themselves as resources such as shelters and public restrooms shut down."
When Cresskill middle/high school students were about to return to in-person learning in September 2022, Hurricane Ida flooded the high school and destroyed the building leaving them without a place to attend class. Thanks to the community's generosity, residents voted to increase taxes to pay for the restoration, while local churches and community centers offered their premises until the refurbishment was completed. Paying it Forward became even more critical to the B.A.G. team. This year, the leadership positions have been passed on to Cresskill High School's current Seniors - Jihwan Choi and Amber Dangelico - which now includes 39 active members.
B.A.G. organizes local fundraisers in the Cresskill and Dumont areas. Members go door-to-door, explaining B.A.G.'s mission and soliciting interest for donations, which are used to fund the materials in the backpacks. However, this is not the organization's only outlet for contributions; they also have a B.A.G. gofundmepage. Thus far, B.A.G. has raised almost $9000 and distributed about 250 bags.
Most recently, B.A.G. members visited the Hoboken Homeless Shelter, which helps approximately 1,000 homeless women, men, and children on the streets of their city. The group has donated 100 bags to the shelter and plans to return in November to distribute more.
The members always look forward to creating a more personal relationship with the homeless. After embarking on a mission trip to New York City in October, the teenagers recounted the inspiration and optimism from engaging with six people they met along the way. Vice-President Amber Dangelico tells a memorable encounter with Hector, a talented artist filled with gratitude: "Today, I prayed to God. I prayed to God and asked him to send me an angel. Not only did I get one angel, I got two, four, and six. SEVEN angels, as he counted each of us that came from Cresskill. God has answered my prayers. You kids are the change this world needs. It is so easy to do bad and so difficult to do good. There are so many bad people out there, and I want you to know that I appreciate all of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.' Amber added, 'His face gleamed with excitement, and his vulnerability and wholesome words touched all of our hearts as we walked away with tears in our eyes.'"
B.A.G. will continue to work towards helping to better the lives of the homeless. President Jihwan Choi explains that what they get back in return is the appreciation for their interactions, inspiration, and lessons that the homeless offer them: "'We've had precious opportunities to speak to the homeless and listen to their stories. We were very moved by their heartfelt words and can assure you that B.A.G.'s efforts will progress over the years, hoping to subdue the hardships of the homeless.'"
Furthermore, the team encourages society to help others in any way possible; it does not always have to be monetarily related. The little things go a long way, whether it is smiling at someone or simply voicing appreciation for them.
