CREF funds 'Brighten the Day' project

CREF funds 'Brighten the Day' project
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In line with the Cobleskill Richmondville Education Foundation’s mission, a new foundation-based project was funded to bring joy and emotional support to Cobleskill-Richmondville students during this unprecedented school closure.

The project was the brainchild of Foundation trustee Jesse Cosser and president Gayle Westervelt, who wanted to do something to alleviate the anxieties our district’s students are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is how magic happens.  Almost simultaneously, regular foundation supporters Paul and Diana Praus made a donation and allowed the funds to be earmarked for such a project. Mr. and Mrs. Praus regularly donate to CREF every quarter, and have done so for a number of years.  The Foundation wishes to express their deepest thanks to the Prauses for their generous and consistent support of the Foundation’s mission!

Normally, donations such as the Praus’ go into the “general fund,” which then is distributed to grant applicants at the review and recommendation of the Grant Committee.  However, donors can “earmark”  or designate their donations in a more specific way, such as to support “student enrichment,” “student assemblies,” or in this case, “Project Brighten the Day.”

Generosity abounds, as the Board of Trustees and Superintendent and Mrs. Mummenthey, and even friends and families of trustees, personally added to the earmarked funds.  The total amount of funds raised for this project are $2500. Moreover, the Board of Trustees felt so strongly about this project that it unanimously voted to match the entire amount through the Cobleskill-Richmondville Education Foundation. Days will be brightened!

Operation Brighten the Day

With funds donated by the Praus family and trustees and then matched by the Foundation, games, puzzles, coloring books, and small toys were purchased to brighten the days of C-R students who are currently involved in the district’s Backpack and Joshua Project programs. This new project speaks directly to the Foundation’s mission that states, “Funding shall foster the intellectual, emotional, physical, or social development of students.” 

During these challenging times of social distancing, economic struggle, and navigating learning from home, being sheltered in place with family can take a toll on students.  Brighten the Day is designed to alleviate some of that stress. Brighten The Day Committee members include trustees Jesse Cosser, Lisa Crapser, Gayle Gaetano Westervelt, Liz Seyboth, and Cathy Weidman, all of whom completed the massive, but rewarding task of purchasing puzzles, games, and sports equipment for more than 140 C-R students.

Other Foundation News: C-R Education Foundation Awarded Stewart’s Grant

The Foundation was awarded a $1,000 grant from the Stewart’s Shops Matching Funds Program, which collects and matches donations from its customers annually from Thanksgiving to Christmas.  Foundation trustees propose to use the funds to provide C-R students with an assembly program and/or a keynote speaker for a future enhancing educational experience. The Foundation will meet with Superintendent Mummenthey and grade level administrators to discuss the needs of students. Some possible topics to be addressed by the proposed assembly are anti-bullying, empathy for others, the importance of education, and other pertinent topics. 

Cobleskill- Richmondville Education Foundation Board of Trustees

The Foundation Board is made up of volunteers with backgrounds in education, finance and other professions. These individuals know that private funding is needed to help transform students’ lives. Members are keenly aware of their fiduciary responsibilities and provide skills in money management and oversight. Foundation officers include Secretary Jesse Cosser, Vice President Sean McAllister, Treasurer David Pugh, and President Gayle Gaetano Westervelt.  The Board of Trustees includes the officers and Nick Carson, Lisa Crapser, David Jones II, Kristen Loder, Paul Murray, Donna Pacatte, Jennifer Rightmyer, Elizabeth Seyboth, Sam Shevat, Chris Stauble, Catherine Weidman, Bruce Wright, and Lisa Yorke.  In addition, C-R school Superintendent, Carl Mummenthey and Ruth Van Deusen, secretary to the superintendent are active school district liaisons.