Building a Better Brentwood, One Student at a Time

Brentwood, New York (January 2019)—Brentwood Union Free School District (BUFSD) is proud to recognize East Middle School’s Families In Need (FIN) Committee for extending its reach to local families throughout the Brentwood community. With the goal of making a better Brentwood one student at a time, East Middle’s FIN Committee teamed up with local businesses and groups to help local families by alleviating the financial burden this holiday season and to share good spirit.

“The district is so proud of our students for their efforts to support each other and other members of the Brentwood community,” said Mr. Richard Loeschner, Superintendent of Brentwood Union Free School District. “Our students’ ability to focus on academics while also working diligently to positively impact the lives of Brentwood residents is a true testament to their character and the values BUFSD looks to impart in each of our students every day.”

More than thirty families were the recipients of holiday gifts—toys, clothing, winter gear, art supplies, gift cards, etc.—for this past holiday season. Utilizing its strong ties to the Brentwood community, FIN also solicited local businesses—JC Penney’s, the Kiwanis Club of Deer Park, Active 20-30 Club, JP Express and Suffolk County Police Department’s “Shop with a Cop” program—to generously provide deep discounts and merchandise to help those students and their families who would benefit the most. Additionally, there was an outpouring of support from Brentwood’s PTA and alumni, who kindly stepped forward to donate gifts and their time delivering packages. Of course, the generosity of staff and faculty members at East Middle School cannot be forgotten—they supported the efforts of FIN by providing raffle baskets and prizes, participating in raffle events and taking the time to purchase, sort, wrap and deliver gifts to families.

To keep the momentum going, the FIN Committee will continue to fundraise throughout 2019. This will ensure brighter holidays for our most disadvantaged students in the future and will also allow for funds and resources to be available when families suffer losses or fall on times of extreme hardship. The ability to lend assistance to families in distress and not have to turn them down due to lack of reserves, is what the FIN Committee aims to do at all times of the year.

For more information about the Brentwood Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at www.brentwood.k12.ny.us. Happenings in the district can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrentwoodUnionFreeSchoolDistrict.