September 2024 Newsletter
 We are partnering with Meals on Wheels to gradually distribute small gift bags to their 1,200 meal recipients. That is, we will purchase and package about 50 bags every 2-3 weeks and those bags will be distributed along with their meals. Meals on Wheels is doing the driving and distributing and we so appreciate their collaboration. We are collecting items suitable for a small gift gesture. For instance, we are going to be asking the Junior Giving Circles to collect toothbrushes and toothpaste; we will include journals, playing cards, small flashlights and such. If you are out and about shopping and see $1 Store-type accessories suitable for this population, please feel free to grab some. Please do not purchase holiday related items. |
 Click here to donate directly to Value A Veteran Veterans’ Essentials Pantry If you know a veteran or veteran’s spouse who can benefit from this program please contact Kathy Barzal at KathySIGC@gmail.com |
 | The Sandy Hook Pilots Charitable Foundation awarded us a grant for our Teachers’ Closets program for which we are so grateful. Our Teachers’ Closet initiative provides most needed school supplies to our community partners. |
 | Our 2024-2025 WFBP is in full swing with eight schools and 20 students at each school. This is an increase of five students per school. We have been able to do this because we’ve had response from private donors and grants from The Christopher Whitehouse Foundation and The Notre Dame Club of Staten Island. As you know, this initiative is FOOD so it’s expensive. We provide weekly food bags for these 160 students who suffer food scarcity over weekends, vacations, and holidays when the school cafeterias are closed. |
 We’re happy to report that we have made a good, strong partnership with the administrators of the Berry Homes. We have met with them twice to discuss building a monthly birthday party idea for kids in the Berry Homes. We will launch our first party in October to provide birthday gift bags, desserts, treats for the kids who celebrate September/October birthdays. What we need here is a couple of you to volunteer to go over at 3:30 p.m. on the designed party day with Evelyn to distribute gifts to the children. |
 We are looking for volunteers! |
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 We had one winner this month Phil Binder chose to donate $250 to the Senior Movement Program. Please be advised that if you want to be included in each month’s charity raffle draw, you can pay ahead by sending a check or Paypal commitment for the number of months you want to be included. This way, if you can’t attend a meeting in person, you can still participate. |
| We will be hosting our Annual Pasta Dinner & Basket Bash on Sunday, November 3rd. Tickets are available using the this link Purchase tickets here We have all sponsorship levels available for our fundraiser. Please see flyer is below for more i. Mark your calendars for October 3rd, we will be hosting a Dine Out at Canlon’s Restaurant. See flyer below and please share it with family and friends. |
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 Interested in volunteering your time please email Kathy Barzal at KathySIGC@gmail.com We will have several monthly opportunities for you to join us in serving our community. |
 Our October collection will be In addition if you would like to donate Lottery scratch off tickets to be used for our November fundraiser we will be accepting those as well. |
| Please add our remaining meeting dates to your calendar. October 17 November 21 |
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 | To make a donation please use the following: Venmo: @StatenIslandGivingCircle PayPal: SIGivingCircle@aol.com Checks may be mailed to: Staten Island Giving Circle PO Box 120301 Staten Island NY 10312 |
 | We get inquiries for teens looking to score service hours to satisfy school requirements. We have been recommending the students organize a collection of food (cereal, granola bars, fruit cups) to be used for our Food Insecurity initiatives. Students can create flyers, host the collection and deliver to the recipients for their service credit. Please contact us for a list of items needed. |
 Michele Yacovello 917.733.7937 MicheleSIGC@gmail.com Evelyn Kormanik H: 718.980.4862 C: 646.240.7486 sigivingcircle@aol.com |