NORWICH – Each holiday season, BOCES students and staff have shown tremendous generosity in supporting the holiday gift giving campaign organized each year by staff members Larry Wallenstein, Amy Clark, Anne Walters and Jo Ann Winsor. Gifts are collected and given to students and their families who are experiencing financial hardship. The holiday season can be a stressful time under normal circumstances; this is compounded when resources are limited. Gift giving is coordinated each year in each of the three BOCES buildings – the Chenango Campus and Support Services Center in Norwich, and the Robert W. Harrold Campus in Masonville. Additionally, many BOCES student programs and student organizations coordinate community service activities during the holiday season.
BOCES Social Worker Ann Walters runs a food pantry at the New Beginnings Church in Norwich. BOCES Career Academy seniors worked with Anne to assemble the food baskets for the BOCES needy families as well as over 100 food boxes for senior citizens in Chenango County. Throughout the year, Career Academy seniors make and donate blankets for Project Linus, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Students sell daffodils for the American Cancer Society and volunteer at the Senior Meals program in Sidney Center.
Price Chopper in Norwich generously donated turkeys for identified families at BOCES. Several BOCES staff members bought gifts for entire families and many volunteered to drive the gifts to the homes of students. Well over 800 gifts of clothing, blankets, toys and food items were gathered for the 35 families targeted to be in need.
Special thanks to all who made the holidays happier for 35 BOCES families and the local community. The holiday spirit is alive thanks to the efforts and generosity of BOCES staff and students.