Cindy Puente
Myself Third Spirit of New York 2005 Scholarship Winner
Townsend Harris High School
Queens College
"In a school of classic academic overachievers, Cindy not only shines academically, but she expresses concern for her fellow students and for neighborhood communities as well. She recently decided to start a coat drive within her school to help underprivileged residents of Queens county. As she worked on the project she provoked enthusiasm in others—students, faculty, and administration—so that the program kept expanding; first to include other boroughs of New York City, and then to become a collection for international causes, specifically clothing and other goods for refugees in Haiti."
—Joseph Merino, Assistant to the Director, College Preparatory Programs
Work, Volunteer, and Extra-Curricular Activities
- Volunteer, Goodwill Beacon Program
- Volunteer, Office of Congressman Anthony Weiner
- Volunteer, Nassau Hospital Pediatrics Department
- Organizer, Clothes Drive in Queens
Excerpts from Cindy's Essay
The calamity of the World Trade Center made me realize that I have the responsibility to leave my city not any less but rather greater than how I found it. In an attempt to accomplish responsibility, I organized a clothing/ toy drive.
I organized the drive to be a sort of holiday joy for the poor community in Astoria, Queens. Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, I made the drive my priority.
First, I began by obtaining permission from school officials and decorating boxes. Then, I informed the student body of the activity by placing signs throughout the building, making announcements in classes, during lunch and through the loudspeaker. The student body participated at an unexpected level; thus, I was constantly gathering supplies to allow room for more donations. However, there was one obstacle that seemed would prevent the supplies from being distributed before the holidays: a non-profit organization willing to participate. I contacted Queens Charities but unfortunately they told me that they wouldn?t be able to collect the supplies until January. My determination for the drive to be a holiday gift led me to arrange for a willing school official to drop off the clothes and toys at the organization?s location. Although demanding, I found it to be a rather exciting experience.
