Latest news with #TrunkorTreat
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Plattsburgh students give to local school
The Student Nursing Association at Plattsburgh State is taking direct action to help local students in and around the Plattsburgh and Clinton County area. Lately, Cardinals in the Nursing Program have been helping young students at Beekmantown Central School District. To give back to the local community, SNAPS is taking the initiative to support Beekmantown Elementary, Middle and High School children through a clothing and hygiene drive. Their mission is aimed to foster a supportive environment and bond for nursing students to make as much of a positive impact as possible in the North Country. SNAPS provides an applied learning experience for SUNY Plattsburgh nursing students to find a space to connect. Through trial, tribulations, and shared experiences, each Card mentors one another throughout the rigorous program. 'The nursing program can be demanding at times, so it is nice to have other people who are going through the same program,' said SNAPS student representative Breanna Cascioli. Older students often guide younger students, offering experience, advice, and encouragement. Yet, the organization's reach extends beyond the city of Plattsburgh to the broader Clinton County community. The drives at Beekmantown CSD are just the latest exhibitions on how SNAPS make an impact through applied learning. 'SNAPS not only offers support to the nursing program at Plattsburgh but to the Plattsburgh Community,' Cascioli said. 'SNAPS has done multiple hygiene drives in the past, like Trunk or Treat at the field house for local children.' For upperclassmen in SNAPS, the experience they gain helps them for the future past graduation. Most of their knowledge comes from engagement with public health nursing. Plattsburgh students in the Nursing Program are given a chance to work directly in the community through the JCEO Head Starts, Alliance Health and several local school districts around the area. Beekmantown, alongside SNAPS, serves students who may not have clean socks or enough fresh clothes or hygiene products. 'The school nurses at Beekmantown truly care about their students,' Cascioli said. 'Many of them even bring needed items of their own to the school for the children and teens.' For students who may not have the accessibility to or knowledge about the power of clean clothes and good hygiene, SNAPS and the school district help to alleviate some of the challenges for the Beekmantown Eagles. 'The clothing items can give confidence to children and teens. Having clean clothes picked out for each day can make a difference in the level of confidence a person has,' Cascioli said. Rather than worrying about their basic needs, a simple drive like the ones at Beekmantown can provide kids with the essentials to finding their confidence and focusing on school. Just about anyone at Plattsburgh State can help to move the needle in the area. Outside of SNAPS, students from all majors can help by donating clothing and hygiene items, spreading awareness, or reaching out to local facilities to see where assistance is needed. 'Any student can make a difference on campus or in the community,' Casicoli said. 'Students can reach out to the facilities around the community and ask how they can help. JCEOs, Alliance Health, and the schools around the community are good places to reach out to.' For future health care professionals, SUNY Plattsburgh's Nursing Program understands the importance of engaging the community beyond campus. The invitation is extended to Cardinals on campus, faculty and the local community to aid. People like Cascioli believe that through a joint effort, SNAPS, SUNY Plattsburgh and the North Country can make an impact on local kids, giving them access to the necessities they need to succeed. 'As future nurses, SNAPS must support the community. It is important to take initiative within the communities around to help promote overall health and well being.'
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
2025 Remarkable Women Nominee: Debby Dant
PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) — Debby Dant is dedicated to say the least, involved in multiple organizations, but her time giving back stems from her husband. He's a four-year Vietnam Veteran who made her realize the importance of fighting for our country. 'The veterans gave a lot to us, whether they only served a short time, whether they served four to six years, or were lifers. They all gave a portion of their lives to serve the country,' said Dant. Dant has been a member of North Pekin's AMVETS for 40 years and has had a role in every corner of the organization. She does everything there, from organizing dinners to Easter egg hunts, to make sure veterans are seen. She has found a way to recruit community members by hosting large events at the North Pekin AMVETS, like Trunk or Treat, or Veterans Day Luncheons. She has even collected Christmas presents and personal care items for homeless veterans. This last Christmas, she headed a project where she sent $1,000 worth of personal care items, snacks, and more to a local serviceman deployed to the Middle East to share with 40 others in his unit. She has also spearheaded events at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois. Dant was named the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary National Member of the Year back in her work with them didn't stop after that honor, particularly state-wide. 'I've been every officer in the auxiliary. But right now, I'm in like my 22nd/23rd year of secretary-treasurer,' said Dant. Prior to that position, she held all state elected offices with the ladies auxiliary. In 2001, she was even the president. For AMVETS riders, she's been the Secretary and Scholarship Chairman since it was created in 2008, and for the last several years, she's also held the position of Treasurer. She's also a location coordinator for Wreaths Across America at the Tazewell Area Veterans Cemetery and welcomes veterans home from every single honor flight that has landed at the Peoria International Airport, even volunteering as a guardian before. As for self-care, as she doesn't seem to even have time for any, she still finds time for herself, but that time continues to find her giving back. Quilting is what gives her time to relax and rejuvenate. 'I'm involved with Patchwork Pals, which is our local quilting group,' said Dant. 'We do Quilts of Valor.' Quilts of Valor are handmade quilts that are machine or hand quilted, awarded to a Service Member or Veteran touched by war. 'We can't feed them, clothe them, house them. You know, we can't take care of every life essential need, but we can give them support. [We can] let them know that there are still people here who care about them and care about what they need, what they'd like through the AMVETS,' said Dant. Dant said she doesn't give back because it's something she has to do, but because it's a way of life for her. For others looking to give back, she said, 'Just do it, you know, and find your niche. You can't be all things to all people, find what makes you happy first and then just build on that and find the organizations that promote what you like.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pamela Schmidt Named Sarasota County's 2025 School-Related Employee of the Year
Sarasota County Schools has named Pamela Schmidt, the records & evidence specialist for the Sarasota County Schools Police Department (SCSPD), as its 2025 School-Related Employee of the Year. Schmidt plays a crucial role in managing police records, tracking investigative evidence, and training new school resource officers (SROs) on the district's records management system. She also teaches crime scene investigations at Suncoast Technical College's Criminal Justice Academy and has voluntarily led forensic courses at Booker High School. Beyond her daily duties, Schmidt is a fixture at school and community events, including Trunk or Treat, Shop with a Cop, and National Night Out. With her district recognition, she is now in the running for the statewide award from the Florida Department of Education. Sarasota County Schools also recognized outstanding school-related employees at each of its campuses: Jaime Cope – Alta Vista ElementaryAndrew Kujawski – Ashton ElementaryRoxann Swantek Williams – Atwater ElementaryArlene Nieves – Bay Haven School of Basics PlusAlex Burbano-Jimenez – Booker HighJo Ann Lawson – Booker MiddleJulee Santelli – Brentwood ElementaryMaida Lara – Brookside MiddlePatricia Goldsmith – Chief of Student Services, Academic InterventionMeredith Clifton – Communications & Government AffairsTami Cooke – Cranberry ElementaryMarie Fernandez – Emma E. Booker ElementaryEcho Lazorko – Englewood ElementaryBrandi Hastie – Exceptional Student Education ServicesHector Robinson Rodriguez – Facilities, Custodial ServicesPeter Svoboda – Facilities, MaintenanceEngy Hanna – Financial ServicesJeff Brooks – Food & Nutrition ServicesTammy Gauntt – Fruitville ElementaryVeronica Keller – Garden ElementaryBrittany Cox – Glenallen ElementaryJacob Hoermann – Gocio ElementaryBrittany Steverson – Gulf Gate ElementaryCorruth Johnson – Heron Creek MiddleYolanda Nash – Human ResourcesJ McQueen – Information TechnologyTim Beery – Lakeview ElementaryNicole Bounds – Lamarque ElementaryLinette Stiffler – Laurel NokomisMeredith Carroll – Materials ManagementLena Walker – McIntosh MiddleNicole Freck – North Port HighKevin D'Angelo – Oak Park SchoolDonna Fangman – Phillippi Shores ElementaryFaith Kona – Pine View SchoolRebecca Bilbrey – Riverview HighAmanda Mavrikas – Sarasota HighFrank Meyer – Sarasota MiddleDebby Abt – Southside ElementaryAimee White – Student ServicesSally Williams – Suncoast Polytechnical HighDylan Kasper – Suncoast Technical CollegeGretchen Ryder – Tatum Ridge ElementaryCynthia Cochran – Taylor Ranch ElementaryLisandra Gonzalez – Toledo Blade ElementaryAlbert Oliver – TransportationSuzette Dill – TriadMarcia Kops-Roy – Tuttle ElementaryJaimie Satagaj – Venice ElementaryAmanda Center – Venice HighMike Volta – Venice MiddleDeborah Beese – Wilkinson ElementaryLeocadia Abreu – Woodland Middle Sarasota County Schools' School-Related Employee of the Year program is made possible by the support of community sponsors who believe in recognizing and encouraging excellence in education. The sponsors for this year's recognition are Sarasota Ford and Tandem Construction. The Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association served as the platinum sponsors for this year. Other sponsors include Achieva, Harvard Jolly PBK, Neal Communities, Trane, Florida Blue, Halfacre Construction Co., Magnum Builders, and Willis Smith Baacke Insurance, Bencor, and the Sarasota County Association of Educational Office Professionals. The Florida Department of Education's School-Related Employee of the Year program honors the significant contributions of non-instructional school staff across the state. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County Schools Honors School-Related Employee of Year
