Members of the scholarship committee at the Beverwyck Retirement Community in Bethlehem are no longer worried about the future.
“After reviewing this year’s applications, we feel it’s in good hands,” said Committee Chairwoman Lawrie Lierheimer.
For the past nine years, the residents of Beverwyck in Slingerlands have come together to donate money from their savings to a scholarship fund for local students who are also employees in the retirement community’s dining facility. Over the years, thousands of dollars have been raised, helping to pay for the higher education of dozens of local students.
For the first time, the retirement community came together to a hold a craft fair this year, with the proceeds going towards the fund. Some residents made quilts, others grew their own plants and sold them and one man who has an interest in photography turned some of his shots into notecards to be purchased.
This year, seven students from Bethlehem Central and Guilderland Central high schools received awards. Each will receive $5,000, divided evenly over the length of their college studies. Because the committee was only able to raise $22,000, some funds were used from the scholarship’s savings account in order to give a larger number of awards.
Lierheimer said committee members knew they had the option of giving fewer scholarships because of the lack of money, but residents had grown close with the students over the years and it was too hard to decide who would be chosen.
“We took a leap of faith,” said Lierheimer. “These folks are special and we had a little extra cushion, so we decided to go for it.”
Employees must apply for the scholarships, and the applications are reviewed by the committee. Applicants are asked to write a short essay about their time working at Beverwyck. They must also list other activities, including community service, sports and clubs, along with keeping at least a B average throughout high school.
The young employees often play an important role in the lives of residents. They are more than just servers and kitchen staff, but a friendly face, a helping hand and an ear when one’s needed.
“It’s really like having a second family, between the staff and residents,” said Olivia Lupoli, a senior at Bethlehem Central High School who plans to attend Syracuse University in the fall. “I loved working with them and making them smile. It was very rewarding and I got a lot out of it.”
Lupoli, who has worked at the Beverwyck for two years, said the experience had made her realize how much she loves working with people.
Danielle Lang, another Bethlehem student and scholarship recipient, said her time at the Beverwyck helped her to learn several important life lessons. She is now more patient and has learned time management skills and how to better communicate with others.
“I don’t really think of it as work, but a place to come and meet new people,” said Lang, who has not yet decided where she will be attending college.
Lupoli agreed.
“There are some really interesting and compassionate people here,” she said.
Lang said the experience has taught her a lot about how she hopes to be treated as she grows older, adding how the job gave her a sense of perspective. “I would want to be around someone who takes me seriously, and who I know cares about what I have to say. I know what (the residents) want and what we try to provide.”
Lierheimer said the residents know the scholarship won’t make a huge dent in college costs, but they try to do what they can to help the future generation that’s been kind to them.
“Like the kids say, at least it will help pay for books, and that’s one expense that won’t come out of their own pockets,” she said.