Local Teens Raise Funds, Hope to Bring Back Orangetown Youth Programs

Alyson Benoit and Chris Yannazzone along with other youths are asking the members of the community to contribute, as generously as they can, to the George Bergerman Youth Activities Fund in an attempt to save youth programs cut from the Orangetown Town Budget. 

Benoit wrote a explaining the programs that were cut. They have raised $500 so far from sending out letters to officials. They hope to reach $20,000 to reinstate the youth police academy. Orangetown also cut its DARE program as of the beginning of 2012. 

Orangetown Police Department Lt. Donald Butterworth is the liason for these adolescents. Although he cannot be involved with the fundraising, he helps by offering them advice when needed.

"They are organized. They have their own meetings," said Butterworth. "They are doing a great job. They have a passion for this that is obvious. They want it to be a success. Anything they do is a success, whether they reach their goal or not."

Contributions can be made out to George Bergerman Youth Activities Fund and mailed to: 

26 Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962 ATTENTION: LT. BUTTERWORTH.

Butterworth added that the students have done a great job so far in spear-heading this. 

"They don’t have a mailbox. I don’t open the stuff. I give it to them as I get it," added Butterworth. "It shows what type of kid comes out of thse programs. The maturity is very apparent."