The Answers

A column on education in Watkins Glen

The following was written by Travis Durfee, President of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association. It is the 12th in a continuing series of monthly columns.

WGFA socks, undies and diapers drive

Again this year the teachers of the WGFA led a holiday service campaign that collected socks, underwear and diapers. The items were donated to Catholic Charities in Schuyler County for distribution through its Schuyler Outreach program. This annual act of community service reflects the WGFA’s willingness to serve the community that supports our educational mission. Thank you to all who donated!

WGFA members partnered with several local businesses, which hosted collection bins around the county. And what a list! Many thanks to Absolute Auto, Chemung Canal Bank, CVS, Dollar General, Elmira Savings Bank, Hazlitt 1852 Winery, McGillicuddy’s Bar & Grill, Visions Federal Credit Union, the Watkins Glen Public Library and the Watkins Glen Central School District.

Several WGFA members stepped up to coordinate with these businesses and we thank them for their efforts. Kudos to Cheryl Hazlitt, Sarah Horton, Maggie Field, and Liam O’Kane for setting up drop sites throughout the community.

Internally, several WGFA members sacrificed lunch or prep periods to help the drive by preparing baskets to be delivered throughout the community. Thank you Beth Hogan, Peggy Richardson, Elizabeth Mahns, Barb Coon, Maggie Field, Rachel Niegelberg, Janice Standish, Robin LaFace, Ben Connelly, and Cheryl Hazlitt!

We advertised throughout our school and our community. Several WGFA members participated in a Friday awareness event where people wore tall socks and boxers outside of their clothes to pique student interest in the drive. One member, who shall remain nameless, even wore a diaper! It made for a fun Friday at school and, hopefully, generated a few more donations.

Karen Armstrong, Peggy Richardson, Barb Coon, Jessica Smith, Vicki Everett, Sarah Woodward and Erica Shirley helped with promotions either in town or around the district.

We spread the word by delivering slips in mailboxes and posting on social media thanks to Beth Powell, Maggie Field, and Ginger Brown.

Kelly Muir, Sam Brubaker, and Melissa Snow made time after school to deliver the donations to Schuyler Outreach last week, and what donations!

This was a true group and we feel proud of our work.

An extra special thank you goes to Jeanette Lasko, who envisioned the project several years ago. Jeanette has grown the drive every year, and always seeks to encourage members of our union toward public service. I am thankful to work with her. Our school is a better place because she is in it.

From all of us in the WGFA, a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a happy new year. See you in 2018!

Travis Durfee
President
Watkins Glen Faculty Association
watkinsglenfacultyassociation@gmail.com

Photos in text:

Top: Travis Durfee.
Middle: Socks, underwear and diapers collected by the WGFA.