TRR photo by David Hulse Tom Butler is pictured with the punching bag he helped acquire for ECS.

ELDRED - Eldred Central School junior classman Tom Butler is pictured with a punching bag that recently came into service at ECS, due in part to his initiative during a Work-to-School project.

Rene and David, owners of the Bridge Restaurant on Route 97, donated the bag to the school after Butler uncovered it last month during renovation work at the restaurant, where he is employed.

Butler suggested that the $169 bag could be put to good use at the school to help students get into shape and relieve stress while working out in the gym or after school.

Robert Skibinski, the School-to-Work coordinator at Eldred, said that the donation is a demonstration of how schools, students and the community can work together to achieve mutually beneficial goals.

The Bridge is now open for the season. The punching bag is in use in Coach Marrella's weight room.