Members of Clearview’s Key Club pose with a pooch and donations from the club’s Wishbone Project, led by junior Julian Malatesta (second from left).
Clearview Regional High School junior Julian Malatesta wanted to help animals in the county.
A member of the school’s volunteer-led Key Club, the National Honor Society member and varsity wrestler decided to start the Wishbone Project.
“Julian has always loved animals from an early age,” explained his mother Heather. “Whether he’s taking one of his favorite day trips down to the Cape May County Zoo or volunteering his time at the Funny Farm Rescue in Mays Landing – where he helps clean up and care for everything from dogs to emus – animals have always been a priority.”
Malatesta launched the Wishbone Project during sophomore year, when his club advisor, English teacher Patricia Handley, encouraged Key Club students to find a leadership project that would benefit the community. To implement the project’s goal of helping local animals, Malatesta asked the Gloucester County Animal Shelter and several school friends to run a donation drive.
Malatesta decided on a giving tree concept: a crafted tree with items written on its leaves. An individual then pulls a leaf, and its item goes to the shelter. The initial drive turned out to be a huge success for the project and club. The Wishbone Project worked with the shelter for the second consecutive year in December.
“Their kindness, compassion and dedication to helping animals in need truly make a difference,” the shelter noted online. “We are incredibly grateful for their support and generosity.”
“Because of his vision, the shelter received an entire truckload of much-needed food, supplies and funds,” Heather said of her son’s efforts. “It (the December drive) was another huge success, and everyone is looking forward to next year already.”
