Editor, The Spotlight:
This year the Bethlehem Central School District’s Holiday Caring and Sharing Committee focused on providing much needed food and household assistance for our families by providing grocery gift cards to area stores. We are delighted to report that this year’s change was well received by both families and sponsors. For the first time ever, we were able to equally address the needs of all of our families in the Holiday Caring and Sharing Program.
We would like to thank the many sponsors for their contributions in making this year’s program a success. Due to their generosity and commitment, we were able to provide support to over 400 adults/children this holiday season.
We would like to thank the following community sponsors: Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce; Bethlehem Democratic Committee; Bethlehem Lutheran Church; Bethlehem Police Benevolent Association; Bethlehem Preschool Inc.; Bethlehem Women’s Club; Cindy Daley and family; Delmar Reformed Church; Glenmont Community Church; The Hedderman Family; Keystone Architectural Services; Key Bank; Dr. and Mrs. Michael Lipnick; The New York State Appellate 3rd; Policy Research Associates; Realty USA; Sabic; Security Supply Corporation; The Riegel All-Stars; Vintage Merlots’ Red Hatters; The Walters Family; and the YMCA, (Bethlehem).
We would also like to thank the many individuals within the Bethlehem Central School District including: the faculties, students and staff from each one of our schools for their gift card donations and food collections; the district school nurses for their time, communication and tremendous assistance with students, staff and families in need; the high school guidance counselors, Scott Carlton and Kate Burkart, for their time and effort in working with high school students in completing a spectacular food collection and in their communications and support of high school families in need; the Operations and Maintenance Staff for their donations and assistance in the food collection, delivery and distribution; the Bethlehem Central Middle School PTA; Kim Watson for her clerical support in the communications with families and sponsors; and the Food Distribution “teams” led by our school nurses, Stacie Decker, Molly Fusco, Monica Vail; with the assistance of Michelle Lavigne (Social Worker); Penny Palyagyi, (Elementary Guidance Counselor) and the staff from Operations and Maintenance Department, Rich Augar, Sal Celeone and Tom Meyer.
We would also like to extend a sincere note of appreciation to Nan Lanahan and the staff at the Town of Bethlehem’s Office of Parks and Recreation for their continued support in accommodating our program at their Park Office; The Bethlehem Community Fund for their ongoing generosity in providing turkeys for each family in the Holiday Caring and Sharing Program; the Bethlehem Senior Services for providing beautiful hand-made mittens, hats and scarves for our families; and lastly to Best Cleaners of Delmar for collecting dry-cleaning and delivering coats for the coat drive portion of the program. This new component to the program was very well received by our families.
JoAnn Menrath, Holiday Caring and Sharing Program Coordinator
Jody Monroe, Assistant Superintendent Bethlehem Central School District