The Herkimer County Hunger Coalition recently completed another successful Gram Lorraine Children’s Christmas Program. Over 500 children attending Benton Hall Academy, Ft. Plain, CVA, Frankfort, Mt. Markham, BOCES Migrant Education, and Owen D. Young elementary schools received new coats, boots, duds, hats, gloves, and a toy, book, or game at the top of their wish lists. Program coordinators are Julie Metz (BOCES), Kira Miller (BHA), Barb Horwald (CVA), Lucille Hand (Frankfort), Zoey Smith (Mt. Markham), Deb Miller and Christine Tucker (ODY), Dianna Iocovozzi and Kristen Casale (Ft. Plain). Since its inception in 2001, an estimated 15,000 children have benefited.
Program founder Ray Lenarcic commented, “Thanks to the coordinators and their helpers, there’ll be a lot of smiling faces on Christmas morn. Kay’s BOCES branch was highlighted by huge group contributions by Greater Herkimer Lions Club (Rudy Scialdo II), MOVAC (K “Dawg” Brown), Lexington Corp. (Patti Crozier), and HCCC Fac-Staff-Students (Becky Ruffing). My old stomping grounds, Harvard on the Hill, broke the group record (18 children) thanks to Becky and President Terri Grates Day. Holy Family Parish was the Falls’ largest contributor. Little Falls resident Dave “Toe” Petkovsek celebrated his 30th year of volunteering for the LF program, aided once again by Mike Paragi, Amy Bladek, and Sue Wallace-Eaton.”
Kira Miller mentioned that 102 children were taken care of, and that North Star Recycling, the teachers at Benton Hall, the Middle and High School, Holy Family Parish, and Denise Louise Gregorka, who made stockings for all 30 of the families who received gifts, should be thanked.
The Coalition thanks all area clubs, organizations, churches, and businesses whose generosity and humanity guarantee that the most deserving children among us enjoy a Merry Christmas.
Discover more from The Daily Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
