Rockland County BOCES Announce Cocktail Party Fundraiser

From Rockland BOCES:

Join some of Rockland County’s most notable names to raise awareness and funds for the Rockland BOCES Family Resource Foundation!

Guest bartenders include actor Danny Glover, Rockland County Executive Ed Day, WABC-TV personality Marcus Solis and WRCR radio personality Steven Possell.

• October 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• $25 per person
• UNoodles Snack Bar, 14 Main St., Haverstraw, New York
• Call (845) 627-4843 or visit rbfrcfoundation.org.

The Rockland BOCES Family Resource Foundation is a 501c (3) public charity established to support creative and innovative programs as well as provide needed resources for the Rockland BOCES' students and their families that may not be provided for in a regular district budget. To date, funding has consisted of charitable benefactors in and around our community. With these generous donations, the program-wide Backpack Food Pantry and Hilltop After School Programs were established and are providing food and extra academic assistance for the Rockland BOCES students and families in need of these supports.

The Hilltop After School Program (HAP) was launched in January 2016 with 16 student participants. Thanks to the Rockland BOCES Family Resource Center Foundation, children in this program receive help with homework and participate in a variety of physical and organized activities. Healthy snacks are also provided. The HAP coordinator and staff are longtime Rockland BOCES employees.

Providing adequate transportation for after school programs is often a major obstacle. Many parents and guardians work evening shifts, do not own cars or cannot afford fuel. Walking home, even for students who live nearby, is typically out of the question. The Hilltop After School Program has fully addressed this issue by offering free transportation for all participants. Given the substantial costs of providing buses, and the significant effects that lack of busing has on participation, transportation is a continuing and urgent focus of the Rockland BOCES Family Resource Center Foundation.

Backpack Program: Initiated in 2105, the Backpack Program has grown from serving 30 BOCES families to now packing weekend provisions for 130 families. Thanks to a small grant, a portion of the food is provided through the Hudson Valley Food Bank. Students in Rockland BOCES work-based learning programs pack the backpacks on Friday mornings, for delivery to six different BOCES schools.

Image via Rockland BOCES