Helping hands

National Honor Society purchases gifts

HONESDALE, PA — Members of the Honesdale High School National Honor Society purchased gifts for 20 children registered with the Wayne County Children’s Christmas Bureau. The students had fun purchasing gifts for the kids knowing that because of their effort, families in need will have a better Christmas. Students pictured are Sienna George, Steven Decker and Brian Wirth.

Bearing gifts for the Christmas Bureau

HONESDALE, PA — At the November 24 meeting of the Wayne County Council (WCC) of Republican Women, members were asked to bring an unwrapped gift for the Wayne County Children’s Christmas Bureau. Carleen Faatz, Director of Community Services, Wayne County Aging Office accepted the gifts that will be given to the children that are in need in Wayne County. Pictured are Ginger Golden, left, Colleen Steelman, second vice president; and Carleen Faatz, WCC Christmas Bureau representative.

Tons of toys for Toys for Tots

MONTICELLO, NY — There were over 1,400 toys in the lobby of Monticello Gaming & Raceway Wednesday, December 10, the end result of the facility’s very successful seven-week Toys for Tots drive. More than half of the drive’s collection took place at ThunderBlast, a country music concert hosted by radio station Thunder 102 at Monticello Gaming & Raceway on December 6. Members of the Marine Corps League Catskill Detachment 652 and employees of Monticello Gaming & Raceway and Thunder 102 shown here are Sgt. George Pena, front row left, Jim Meyers, Sgt. Robert Fields, Catherine DeLong, Mike Sakell, Shawn Wiles, Eileen Cavanaugh, Wendy deCoverly, back row left, Donna Bradbury, Lori Rothman, Ken Kreidell and Paul Ciliberto.

Santa brings love and toys to Head Start kids

WOODBOURNE, NY — For the past eight years, Santa Claus has paid a special visit bearing toys to the Riverside Group that is part of the Woodbourne Head Start Program. He has always been ably assisted by the Fallsburg Central School District’s Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). Christopher Decker, CSEA’s Labor Relations Specialist, came from Beacon to support the effort on December 18. Santa bore an amazing resemblance to Angelo Pacheco, one of the custodians and CSEA member at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School. Shown with the children and Santa are Riverside’s Sharon Blake, seated on the floor to the left, Wendy Ackerley, on the floor at the right, and vice president of the school district’s cafeteria workers unit Bonnie Gildersleeve, standing at right rear. Blake and Ackerly coordinated the gift-giving along with Lynette James. Sharon’s husband Jimmy, between Santa and Ackerly, was on hand as president of the Local CSEA.

Sullivan sheriffs care

MONTICELLO, NY — Kaytee Warren (center), chief professional officer of United Way of Sullivan County, accepts a $1,000 check from the Sullivan County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, presented by deputy Joseph Manning (right), president and deputy John Panos (left), secretary. The donation will support United Way’s Project Care Program to help brighten the holidays for local children and families in need.