Cavod Club Hosts Fundraiser in Honor of Harvey Milk

by Rebecca Bazini, SSLI '26

Today, the Cavod Club held a fundraiser during lunch and Aruchat Esser, selling fresh cookies and cold milk in honor of the nationally recognized Harvey Milk Day. Presidents Micah Bidner and Shir Levenson worked hard this morning to bake fresh cookies, which were special for the club’s fundraiser.

Cavod Club presidents and Mr. Connelly sell milk and cookies during the fundraiser. (R. Bazini)

Harvey Milk (1930-1978) was the first openly gay man elected to public office in California and served on the Board of Supervisors. He was a leader in the gay rights movement and was known for championing anti-discrimination laws before he was assassinated in 1978. Milk became an LGBTQ+ icon and was later recognized as one of the most significant open LGBTQ officials in U.S. history.

Unfortunately, Milk’s political career was cut short due to his assassination, and his unjust murder trial sparked the California White Night Riot. Bidner shared, “It is important to tell Milk’s story because he was a groundbreaking and inspirational public leader. It’s very important to educate students about his legacy and death.”

The Cavod Club, an acronym for Connecting Allied Voices on Diversity, works to promote equality and allyship within the Schechter community. Club advisor Mr. Pitt-Stoller said, “I think it’s important to be aware of this issue because it’s part of the broader struggle for equality. We all have people in our lives who are gay, bisexual, or transgender, whether we know it or not. By proudly declaring ourselves allies, we make the world safer for everyone.”

Mr. Pitt-Stoller continued, “Our ‘Harvey Milk and Cookies’ fundraiser has two purposes: to raise awareness of great figures in LGBTQ+ history like Harvey Milk, and to raise funds to promote equality and dignity for all. The proceeds for this fundraiser will go to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides counseling services for LGBTQ+ youth.”

Additionally, Cavod Club also plans to use proceeds to fund their projects for Pride Month, coming up soon in June. “We’re going to be giving out free candy, rainbow pins, and stickers,” Bidner remarked.

Rebecca Bazini is a writer for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since January 2023. Rebecca is currently a junior at the Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: rbazini26@schechterli.org.