Weekly Update. March 25, 2025
| To say that we had a blockbuster week is an understatement. On Monday, March 17th, we held our monthly Executive Committee meeting. We reviewed our planned events’ schedules and talked about new ideas as we finally go into Spring and brighter days. Integral to our meeting was a decision to highlight two of our ten Sub-Committees in our boosts; that is, two at a time instead of mentioning all 10 each time. This week we’ll tell you about Senior Outreach and Kids in Crisis. All Committee members gave short summaries of their current “happenings.” Linda is organizing a our final two collections for the school year, Pat continues to schedule an overload of community speakers for our meetings. Michele and Laura work tirelessly on the accounting/bookkeeping and renovation/maintenance of our new space. Michele orchestrates the weekly purchase and distribution of the Weekend Food Backpacks. Stacy has arranged for another fundraising event at Jimmy Max (see flyer below). Charlotte and her team have found a wonderful balance for their Literacy Program. Watch for a more detailed account in a couple of weeks when Literacy is one of the two Sub-Committees highlighted.  On Friday, March 21, we collaborated with the Chamber of Commerce in hosting a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at the Hub. It was wonderful; we saw many old friends and were introduced to some new ones. Christine Gallo from Annabelle Foundation attended and we were delighted. Annabelle, as you know, awarded us a $15,000 grant award to be given to us in three equal payments and is earmarked for our WFBP. Several other sponsors were in attendance and they spoke of grant donations for 2025 as our Spring/Summer progress. We are deeply indebted to our generous sponsors and friends and it was truly a special occasion to have them all in the same room. Photos and article to come later this week.  Our Seniors Outreach Sub-Committee is going full speed ahead with planning fun activities for our community’s seniors. On May 5, we will be hosting a Comedy Performance at Mt. Loretto’s Friendship Club. Jose Diaz and two other professional comedians will present the performance. Then on May 9, Jose Diaz and Lynne Persing will lead the residents at New Lane in a Karaoke afternoon. And finally for May, Jose and his team will perform another Comedy Routine at Oakwood Heights Community Church for seniors and AARP members. We are asking that all volunteers wanting to participate in these three dates please bring along desserts. ALERT: Tune in to see Jose Diaz in an FBI episode entitled “Coverage” which will air on April 2, 2025. Jose is in the opening scene.  Kids in Crisis Our Kids in Crisis Sub-Committee is now led by Damaris Figueroa. This group provides group birthday parties for underserved kids and, in fact, will host one at the Berry Homes this coming Friday, March 28. Damaris has signed on a face painter/fake tattoo artist for the kids. This is an After School group and there are 45 kids. We present gift bags to the kids who are celebrating birthdays (bi-monthly) games and refreshments for all. Music with Patrick and a colleague will provide musical entertainment. In addition to the birthday parties, we look for students in need for clothing, school supplies, etc. We are deeply entrenched in many of our public schools and get regular calls, alerts for “Kids in Crisis”. Also, we look to you for ideas on how to entertain groups of kids.  Charity Raffle Winners Mary Dujmich and Laura Norden split the $400 Charity Raffle. Mary donated her $200 to The Florina Cancer Center at Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell. Christine Zall from Northwell asked us to join their fundraising walk on May 18th and we are putting a team together, let Michele know if you would like to walk with us. Laura has chosen Emma’s Place to receive her $200 win. Remember you can “pay ahead” if you want to participate in every month’s Charity Raffle. We have a number of people who pay six months or a full year at once so in case they can’t be present in person at the meetings.  We provided a Teacher’s Closet award for Petrides art teacher, Gerard Ucelli. His middle and high school students are working on their next big project which will be completed later this spring.  We were fortunate enough to be the recipient of a large donation of school supplies from Our Lady of Good Counsel School. School supplies have already been shared with a few schools.  Sign up for a 4 week health and wellness workshop, click for Health and Wellness sign up  |
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| Staten Island Giving Circle | P.O. Box 120301 | Staten Island, NY 10312 |