Dear Putnam Valley Staff and Community Members:
Last night, our community reaffirmed its reputation as a community that cares! With five hundred people attending and many others donating funds, our student clubs raised over $4,000 and numerous items for Puerto Rico and neighboring Caribbean islands. The funds will be sent to organizations endorsed by New York State, and the supplies will be transported to the distribution center at Camp Smith. We are so grateful for everyone who participated as guests and as organizers of the dinner and the performances. There are many who must be mentioned here for the energy, enthusiasm and effort they brought to this event that brought the community together on behalf of those who are suffering from the aftermath of natural disasters: disease and injury, lack of medical care, food, water, electricity and the elimination of their economic well-being dependent on a thriving tourist industry. Many of our community members have families in Puerto Rico and on the islands. We have made a statement of support and willingness to help.
We are grateful to everyone who helped, and to all who supported this event. It is impossible to recognize everyone, but if you lent a hand in this effort, please know you made a difference and it is appreciated!
High School monitors and Make a Difference Club advisors: Dawn Cassone and Karen Cobb; Marissa Tarkington, advisor of the Interact Club; Alexis Thornton, advisor of the World Languages Club and French Honor Society; Brenda Singer and Ademar Nater, advisors of the Spanish Honor Society; Lisa Penta, advisor of the National Honor Society; Jen Armbruster, Art Club advisor, and the student members of the clubs who organized, set-up and served, including the students who brought the empanadas out to those on the long food line.
Performers and music teachers K-12 including the director, Ryan Odell, who produced the line-up of performers, managed the event and without whom we could not have organized the awe-inspiring concert in the PAC, including Jeanmarie Craane, Maddy Calhoun, Ashley Bennett and Lauren Soprano who consistently offer their musical talents and knit our student groups together; Susi Cummings, who manages our tech and crew students; student performers and teachers from the Middle School and Elementary School, Mary McGowan, Maria Belfont, Katie Odell and Olivia Roth. Appreciation to the Middle School and Elementary School student chorus, who provided the warmth and loveliness of children’s joy. Dear Hayley Craane’s “Tomorrow” and the grace and charm of Madelyn Barti showered the crowd with sweetness. Many thanks to Ralph Smith, Board of Education Trustee; Chris O’Connor, Assistant Principal of the High School; and Gina Noto, High School Psychologist, whose Bruce Springsteen piece rallied the crowd. Special awe and admiration to PVHS acapella group, Tempomental and the High School mixed choir, conducted by Chloe Berger on behalf of Dr. Micera (who missed the concert due to the birth of his baby son!). They inspired us all with “Somewhere” from West Side Story. We cannot forget the Ecuadorean band who brought the “real thing” to Putnam Valley. Always contributing their musical skills to our schools, are the High School musicians: Casey Dath, Sophia George, Ethan Grosman, Jasper Katzban, Gavon Mitchell and Aleks Pilmanis. Finally, the behind the scenes work of our hard-working and dedicated stage crew team. The last minute organization of mics and stage set-up could not be done without them.
Special heartfelt gratitude to Alexis Thornton, a High School teacher of world languages and her family, who did monumental work in organizing the food collection and serving process. Ms. Cassone, Ms. Cobb and Mrs. Thornton anchored this project.
We would like to recognize all of the local businesses (Sansotta’s, Nonna’s, Izla’s, Frankie&Augiez), our Food Service Director, Cara DiMarsico and cook Kathy Coakley of Aramark, and District parents, staff, and retirees who donated food.
Also thank you to Dylan Miyoshi, Hudson Valley Regional Representative, who attended and represented Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Empire State Initiative on behalf of Puerto Rico and the islands.
Lastly, volunteering his skills as MC, cheerleader and generator of heart, Gerry Carlin, shared his humor and PV spirit.
We can’t do anything good alone!
Please view pictures here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B5RjhdGA01KVM3RqVzVMUmZvOGs?usp=sharing
Gratitude to all,
Fran Wills