It’s been said that character is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking. We totally agree with that sentiment, however; it feels a lot nicer when someone recognizes you for your efforts.
In surveying our students over the years, one thing they mentioned again and again was that they don’t get a lot of recognition in the community for ‘doing the right thing.’
That’s why we’re so pleased to be able to offer the Do The Right Thing program in cooperation with the Hummelstown Borough Police Department. The program itself is simple – we accept nominations from adults who witness a Lower Dauphin student doing something positive.
A committee then selects a winner every month who receives a framed certificate, $25 gift card, a Do The Right Thing T-shirt, a free sub coupon from Hummelstown Subway and gets recognized in our community’s newspapers. At the end of every school year, we hold a big banquet and all of the monthly winners gather with their families to hear an inspirational speaker and win more prizes.
Since we began this program in the fall of 2007, we’ve had 400 monthly winners (one month we recognized close to 100 kids for their efforts in a food drive). We’ve also had another 398 students nominated.
Being recognized and seeing positive role models among their peers helps make students feel connected to their community. Students who have a strong connection to their community are less likely to get into trouble, compared with students who don’t have that connection.
To obtain an official nomination form, please visit click here.
“My son felt extremely honored to be recognized by The Do The Right Thing Program. Being nominated by his teacher for his good citizenship and sense of responsibility made us so proud as parents. There was an amazing sense of community togetherness at the end of year banquet which made us thankful to be part of the Lower Dauphin family. We truly appreciate all who sponsor and support this program.”
Parent
“The best part of the Do The Right Thing program is that it not only rewards individual students for making good choices, but also positively impacts school climate as well. I feel very fortunate to have such an encouraging program in our school district.”
School Counselor
Funding Opportunities
The cost to operate this program is $150 per month and the banquet cost is $1,500 annually.
We’re also looking for donations to help underwrite our annual banquet and to provide prizes for our students. Previous funding partners have included Exelon’s Three Mile Island; Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home; Fulton Bank; Former Mayor and Mrs. Bradley Miller; Subway-Meadows Marketplace; Bill and Rosemary Jackson; The Sun; Roeting Mechnical Associates; Weaver’s Glass; E. Ronald Hixon, PC; Susquehanna Bank; Hummelstown Lions Club; Rotary Club of Hummelstown; Hummelstown Business & Professional Association; Commonwealth Financial Associates; Ian Campbell; Roeting Mechanical Associates and the Lower Dauphin School Board. This year our banquet is being sponsored by the Hummelstown American Legion Post 265.
Monthly and banquet prizes have been donated by Cubbies Ice Cream Cafe, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Co., Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Rita’s Italian Ice of Hummelstown, The Hershey Story, Papa John’s Pizza, Doc’s Family Fun Center, Harrisburg Senators, Adventure Sports, Mt. Gretna Theatre, Hershey Trolley Works, Chocolate World, Hershey Museum, Indian Echo Caverns, Challenge Golf, and The Giving Tree of Hummelstown and Hershey.
For more information about the program, please contact Angela Durantine, Program Director, at 717-350-0428.