Spreading hope and supplies

Three friends set out on Aug. 15 for their annual Dominican Republic Mission Trip. Each year Anthony Ziccardi, David Brooks and Richie Ramage collect donations from local businesses and then travel 2,000 miles into the town of Sosua, in the Dominican Republic, carrying many suitcases filled with school supplies, clothing, food and toys to give to the children who live in poverty there. The three men say they hope that by providing the basic needs to one child at a time, they can slowly lower the number of uneducated, unhealthy children that is rapidly growing in the Dominican Republic. Ziccardi, who lives in Lake Mohawk, is the owner of Anthony Ziccardi Studios in Hamburg and is a graphic design teacher at Sussex County Technical School. Brooks, who lives in Vernon, is a math teacher in Byram. Ramage lives in Augusta. For information on how to donate to next year’s trip, e-mail anthonyziccardistudios@gmail.com.