Press Releases

Helping others 'feels good,' student says

By Rachel Newman, Poughkeepsie Journal

To some, "one person can make a difference" may be a trite expression, but to 13-year-old Kayleigh Bhangdia of Poughquag, it's a motto to live by.

The eighth-grade student at Dutchess Day School raised more than $700 for the newly established Marathon Project.

The distance-running program, through the Council on Addiction Prevention & Education of Dutchess County, pairs adult mentors with at-risk youths in Poughkeepsie and Beacon.

Bhangdia, who comes from a family of runners, said she has run in the Twilight Track Series youth running group with the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club since she was 5. She said she feels good knowing she can help out those less fortunate.

"My school has promoted community service and how important it is to give back to the community," she said.

Bhangdia said she has participated in all types of activities and services to help others in her community.

"Over the summer, I helped my grandfather rebuild a privy door along the Appalachian Hiking Trails," she said. "A couple of weeks ago, I helped run a water station at the Dutchess County Classic, with help from friends and family."

Marathon Project Coordinator Susanne O'Neil said Bhangdia is a strong leader for her community.

"She actually came up to me with her mom and said she was doing a community service project for her school and that this [Marathon Project] caught her eye," O'Neil said. "She composed a fundraising letter because she believed in the program and got donations to fund the program."

Awareness is key

O'Neil said Bhangdia shows perseverance and is aware of what needs to change in her community.

"She definitely has a great personality," she said. "She's like a young ambassador and she really shows leadership and vision for the community around her and a sense of hope for a sport we both enjoy."

Bhangdia said she has drawn inspiration from her travels with her family.

"Since my dad is Indian, I have been to India about three times," she said. "I always see many poor people there. It makes me feel so lucky. It's so nice to help others less fortunate."

Visit www.mhrrc.org or call 845-471-0194 to learn more about the Marathon Project