Daniel T. Connor
Superintendent

227 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 615-6720

District news

View the October letter from the Youth Ending Hunger Club

October 7, 2011

Dear Goshen School District community members:

Our first meeting of the school year was very successful, with about 75 students and adults in attendance. The energy and enthusiasm of this year's members is apparent. There are many ideas for helping individuals in our community, as well as helping the worldwide community, in our efforts to end hunger.

As you are all aware, we have experienced several natural disasters and states of emergency this past season. Flooding has washed out roads, destroyed homes, and decimated the crops of our local farmers. This year also is unfortunately a continuation of the recession that has affected all members of our community. As a result of these events, we now serve over 80 families. This year, therefore, we are going to need the entire community's continued generosity to help meet these needs. Our goal, as always, is to end local and global hunger. Our food pantry is nearly bare, and any help that you might be able to give would be most appreciated, as our food pantry now serves double the number it has in the past.

Thanks to the remarkable response of our Goshen neighbors, we were able to deliver school supplies to more than 90 local children, which made the beginning of school a more joyous experience for them. We had collection sites at GIS, St. John's Church, and the Superintendent's Office. We also had wonderful coverage from the Goshen Independent, all of which helped us to be so successful in our appeal. Thanks also to the parents who oversaw the project: Mrs. Shannon Wong, Mrs. Stacy Gill, Mrs. Elisa Maruottolo, Mrs. Paula Holmes, Mrs. Erin Mills, Mrs. Kristin Klugman, Mrs. Violet Rattray, Mrs. Sherry Calogero, Mrs. Juliann Lombardi, and Mrs. Renee Matalucci.

On Friday, October 14, we will be selling our market bags and water bottles at the Farmers' Market—in front of the County Building. Please come out and support us, as well as the local farmers. If anyone is available to help out that day or to donate a case of water bottles, please contact Erin Mills at 914-443-6436 or erinricemills@yahoo.com.
That evening we will be holding our annual Bingo and Dessert Night, which promises to be the event of the season; so “be there or be square.” Everyone is welcome to attend, so bring your family, friends, Girl Scout or Boy Scout troop. The cost is $3 per person or $10 per family, plus a nonperishable food item. This price includes a make-your-own-sundae, as well as Bingo with prizes. We will also be offering a raffle, with great prizes, which are always a huge success. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, October 14, from 7:00 to 8:30p.m. Besides having a good time, you will help raise funds to help your neighbors.

The annual CROP Walk will take place on Sunday, October 23, this year. This event is great fun for the whole family. It's a 3-mile walk, beginning at Fancher Davidge Park in Middletown. Registration starts at 12:30. Kick-off is at 1:30p.m. If you're interested in getting sponsors for this Walkathon, please sign out an envelope from Mrs. Dropkin at GIS in Room 204. 75% of the contributions CROP receives will go to gloal initiatives; 25% to local initiatives. We walk, because so many people in our world have to walk miles each day for water. The theme of CROP is, “We walk, because they walk.”

(Directions to Fancher Davidge Park: Take Route 17E to Exit 120, Route 211W. Travel 2.8 miles; then turn right onto Lake Ave. Go to the end of Lake Ave. Fancher Davidge Park is to the right.)

Our next meeting is Friday, November 4, after school at GIS. Parents of students at GIS should send in the permission slip below, if their child would like to attend the meeting. Parents need to pick up their children promptly at 4:30p.m.

We understand this will be a difficult year for many in our community, and we are so grateful that we can be of some aid to them. We would not be able to do this without your ongoing support and willingness to help others.

Gratefully,
Youth Ending Hunger Club