Giving Back 08.15.19

Everybody WINS! Power Lunch Volunteers Are Needed for the 2019-2020 School Year

Everybody Wins! Power Lunch is an innovative reading and mentoring program that improves children’s prospects for success in school and in life. Once a week, Power Lunch pairs elementary school children with adult reading mentors who book aloud to a child while he/she eats lunch. The Everybody WINS! Power Lunch program is in need of volunteer reading mentors at various schools in Troy and Albany for the 2019-2020 school year.  A volunteer School Coordinator is needed for the program at Abram Lansing in Cohoes on Fridays and for the program at Arbor Hill School in Albany on Thursdays. The volunteer School Coordinator supervises the sessions at the school, selects books for the reading mentor and child, and makes sure the sessions run smoothly (approximately 2.5-3 hours per week).

The required one-hour training for the program will be held on Thursday, August 15th and repeated on Thursday August 29th. Both are scheduled for 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the LVORC offices at 71 First Street, Troy.  Please phone (518) 244-4650 or email litvoldirector@nullaol.com for information.

Suicide Prevention Fundraiser in memory of Jon Pulenskey

Please Join us for a Suicide Prevention Fundraiser in memory of Jon Pulenskey at the East Greenbush Bowling Center

570 Columbia Tpke Rensselaer, NY  12144

On August 17, 2019 from 5:00-7:30pm.

$20 per person includes 2 1/2 hours of bowling, shoes, pizza (2pc. Limit) and soft drinks.  There will be raffles and music by DJ Johnny B!!  All proceeds go to support The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Church of the Redeemer Thrift Shop

It’s back-to-school time! The Church of the Redeemer Thrift Shop has a very large selection of clothing for all sizes and ages.

The shop has earned an excellent reputation by offering quality merchandise at very reasonable prices. We’ll be open Thursday August 15th from 3 to 6 and Saturday August 17th from 9 to 2. The shop features gently-used baby gear, toys, games, puzzles, jewelry, glassware, china, household goods, knick-knacks, Avon collectibles and greeting cards. There is sure to be something for everyone from the amazing assortment of one-of-a-kind items.  Ask us for handicapped equipment.

Located at 1249 Third Street, Rensselaer at the corner of Third and Catherine Streets, the shop is on CDTA busline #214.  Enter through the parking lot on the Catherine Street side of the building and be pleasantly surprised.

BBQ Chicken Dinner Fundraiser For Make-A-Wish NENY

The 8th Annual Bobbie Arsenault Memorial Event & Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, August 17th from 11am – 4pm at Butler Park, Gettle Rd. in Averill Park rain or shine.  Dinners will be served between 2:30 – 4:00 pm and can be eat-in or take-out.  Cost of the BBQ dinner is $12. Preorder your dinner by contacting Bob Arsenault @ 518-944-5347 or online athttp://bobbiearsenaultevent.com.  Limited dinners available first come first serve day of event. The event is free of charge and will include a Car Show, Bike Show, Vendors, Live Music, Raffles, 50/50, Kid games and more.  All proceeds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of NENY.

Veterans To Exhibit Award-Winning Vietnam War Photos During Celebrate Stephentown

On Saturday, August 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Veterans of Stephentown will present an exclusive exhibit of images taken during the Battle of Hue in 1968 by former U.S, Army combat photographer John Olson, who currently lives in Chatham. Young Men At War: Remembering the Tet Offensive will feature a transformative collection of 20 large-format prints, taken directly from the groundbreaking 50th anniversary exhibit, The Marines And Tet, which recently ran for 15 months at The Newseum in Washington, D.C. Presented here in the setting of Stephentown Veterans Memorial Park, these award-winning images will be displayed outdoors next to the monuments honoring those who risked their lives in the United States Armed Forces. “These photographs are very impactful,” explains Dennis Burek, the event’s organizer. “They’re a poignant reminder of what the young men and women from Stephentown and across this country experienced 50 years ago during their service in Vietnam and they make me appreciate that service and sacrifice even more. We believe our Memorial Park is a perfect setting to remember, reflect on and cognize the reality of war.” Admission is free with donations accepted. More information is available at celebratestephentown.com

Charity Air Show

The Lazy 8 RC Airplane Club of Johnstown will be hosting its 33rd Annual Charity Air Show on Saturday and Sunday August 17 and 18 from 9 to 4. Spectator donation of $5 will go to Warm the Children Program. Show features radio control planes, aerobatic demonstrations, vintage aircraft, helicopters, civilian models and more. Bring a lawn chair and camera. Field is located at 144 Knoblauch Rd in Johnstown behind Rogers Family Orchards. For information call Bill Dexter at 518-281-2063.

Rensselaer County Youth Annual Coat Drive

The Rensselaer County Department for Youth is hosting their 19th Annual Par, Tee, Fore COATS Golf Event .

On Tuesday,  September 10th 2019 at the Troy Country Club.

All proceeds will go to support the Rensselaer County Department for Youth Coat drive. To date, over 7,000 brand new coats have been given to low-income children living in Rensselaer County.

A foursome team is $600  or individual is $175 per person. And if you have a business we have larger sponsorship packages available. With your help we can reach our goal of 800 coats for 2019.

For more information please contact Debbie Fleming in our Depertmant for Youth at 518-266-7501 or dfleming@nullrensco.com

Sipping And Sampling

Saturday September 14th 5-9pm

Benefit Friends of Rensselaer Library

The Friends of the Rensselaer Library are having their first annual fundraiser for the library. Sipping and Sampling will be held on Sept. 14th from 5-9pm at City View Terrace over Partition St. Liquor 800 Partition St. Rensselaer, overlooking the Albany skyline.  We will have wine tasting through the generosity of Tim Bayly, beers and ciders from Roger Savoy of the Emporium on Rt. 4.  All sipping will be done with a complementary “sipping glass” from Remington Paving Co. We will feature “Samplings” of gourmet delights from our local restaurants and caterers.  We will also be raffling off a chance for a Royal Caribbean Cruise made possible by Chris Van Vorst and Blue Skies Travel (chances are $5.00 ea. on sale now) that will be drawn at this event.  We will have a silent auction and basket raffle that has always been a hit at our book sale. Admission tickets are $25,00 each and can be purchased at the library, or from J. Burnham 518-427-6778, M. Knox 518- 283-0814 or from our website eventbrite.com. The admission is limited to 125 so get your tickets now.

“Bread of Life” Seeking Volunteers

The Poestenkill “Bread of Life” food pantry, 772 Route 351, Poestenkill, NY 12140 is a community program. Anyone from the Poestenkill community is welcome to volunteer on the open dates to pull food requests. This is a physically demanding task and requires lifting food filled boxes and bags.

We are open three time each month, 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings, 5pm to 7pm and the 4th Saturday, 10 am to noon. If you would like to share some of your time and are able to do hard work to help your neighbor, please visit any open date or call 518-283-6045 and leave a name and phone number.

We have a table at the Poestenkill Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning 9 am to noon. Come and see us there for more information. The market is on the front lawn of the Poestenkill Town Hall rain or shine.

To help raise funds, the food pantry is sponsoring a raffle with a chance to receive 1st prize, an October Get-A-Way weekend for two, 2nd prize, dinner for two at Westfall Station and 3rd prize, four movie tickets for the Regal Cinema, Route 4, East Greenbush. THANK YOU.

Backpacks & School Supplies for the Community

Catholic Charities Tri-County Services coordinates school supply programs throughout our communities and we are in need of *new* supplies from backpacks & notebooks to graphing calculators & sneakers. You can help a child start off on the road to a successful school year!

Donations can be dropped off at our office at 50 Herrick St in Rensselaer or call Justine Carroll at 518-512-3577 x115 and we can arrange a pickup of larger quantity donations.

Search and Rescue Volunteers Needed

The Tri-State Emergency Team is recruiting volunteers to provide wildland and underwater searches within a 100-mile radius of Waterford, NY. This includes all aspects of field and underwater search. The Tri-State Emergency Team responds when requested by NYS Forest Rangers and other Police Agencies throughout New York State, Western Vermont and Massachesettes.

We are looking for certified scuba divers, experienced boat handlers, and people who enjoy hiking and the outdoors in general who wish to help people in need. The team will provide training and complete support as needed. Our headquarters is located in Waterford. Applicants need not live in Waterford to volunteer. If interested, please call 518-237-6744 or visit our website at www.tri-stateemergencyteam.org

Greenbush Cemetery in need of donations

The Greenbush Cemetery was incorporated in 1845. From Columbia Turnpike, one can see we are an old, historic cemetery in the Town of East Greenbush. However, we are still active and offering lots sales for a reasonable cost in three new sections.

With lifestyle changes in a more mobile culture, our cemetery is suffering financially. Lot sales are way down and more cremations are being done rather than burials. Cemeteries are forced to rely on donations to keep operating.

The Greenbush Cemetery estimates the operating cost for 2019 is $20,000.00. We will need to raise $15,000.00 to stay operational for this year. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help maintain this historic cemetery in East Greenbush.

The Greenbush Cemetery Board of Trustees (all volunteers) will be most appreciative!

We will publicly list you as a donor unless you wish to remain anonymous.

Please make checks payable to: Greenbush Cemetery Association.

Please mail checks to Jim Finke, Treasurer, 13 Horizon View Drive West, East Greenbush, NY 12061.

For more information, contact: Bobbie Reno 518-465-7938. Thank you.

Land Trust Spring Bottle Drive

Return your bottles and cans and help the Schodack Area Land Trust (SALT).

Through an arrangement with Six-Cent Redemption, behind Starbucks in Hannaford Plaza, SALT will receive six cents for every container you donate to the cause. Simply drop off your containers and say, “These are for SALT.” No need to wait or feed cans into a machine.

SALT is a 13-year-old not-for-profit which manages 60 acres of land open to the public for passive recreation. Access to the property is from Thoroughbred Dr. off Palmer Rd. SALT’s biggest expense is insurance.

Applications for Free and Reduced-Price Meals Available

Wynantskill UFSD would like to inform our community that information and applications for the Free and Reduced- Price Lunch Program are available on the district website, www.wynantskillufsd.org, or by calling Food Services Director Lori Audi at 518-283-4600 ext. 22.

The National School Lunch Program is a completely confidential program that has helped ensure children have access to nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches since 1946.

Latham Clothing Shed

Back to School days are almost here! It’s that time of year to go through your children’s  wardrobes , purchase  text books and school supplies. If you have a first time college-bound student or a returning one you’re planning the dorm room set up! Or if you’re moving to a newly purchased home or are relocating to a new apartment.

Do you have textile items that are no longer wanted or needed? Please consider donating your items to our Clothing Shed, 328 Troy-Schenectady Road, :Latham, N.Y. 12110.​

​Items accepted include;​

Used Clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, purses, linens, pillowcases, blankets, curtains, and stuffed animals.​

​**What Not to Drop-off: ​

Furniture, electronics, household items, books, toys, garbage, pillows, rags, and fabric scraps.​

​For further information visit our website www.lathamcoloniekofc.com, or call 518 783 0572!​

Supporting Local Charities Has Never Been Easier!

The St Jude the Apostle Knights of Columbus have teamed up with 6 Center Redemption Center located at 461 Main Street in Wynantskill to accept qualifying bottle and can donations to support local charities and those in need.

Simply bring your clean, qualifying empties to 6 Center Redemption in Wynantskill and say they are to support the St Jude Knights of Columbus. They’ll do the rest! That’s it!

Thanks for your support.

Sheriff Patrick Russo Announces Membership Drive

The New York State Sheriffs’ Institute will begin its annual Honorary Membership drive in Rensselaer County according to Sheriff Patrick Russo.

The New York State Sheriffs’ Institute was established in 1979. It is a not-for-profit corporation, tax exempt organization, and contributions to the Institute are tax deductible.

While the Sheriff’s Office is a unit of county government, many of the concerns of Sheriffs and other law enforcement agencies are best addressed on a statewide level. The Sheriffs’ Institute provides centralized training programs and services for all Sheriffs’ Offices, where those programs and services would be unavailable or impractical on a single county basis.

The flagship program of the Sheriffs’ Institute is the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp for economically challenged children. The Sheriffs’ Camp, in its 42nd year of operation, is located on Keuka Lake and 840 children from across New York State attend each summer. The Sheriffs’ Institute pays the entire cost of the camp stay and transportation. Most children attending wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity for vacation travel or a summer camp experience.

“In these difficult economic times we cannot forget our youth who will not have the opportunity for a summer camp experience or a summer vacation,” Sheriff Patrick Russo said. “By becoming an honorary member, you are supporting the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp for economically disadvantaged children.”

In addition, the Sheriffs’ Institute operates a scholarship program that provides one scholarship to each of New York State’s Community College’s Criminal Justice Programs. This program is designed to help attract the best and the brightest to the criminal justice vocation.

For more information about the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp and other Sheriffs’ Institute Programs, visit our website, www.sheriffsinstitute.org or simply google “Sheriffs’ Institute kids” and it will be your first option.

Financial support for many of the Sheriffs’ Institute programs comes from Honorary Membership dues. Any persons interested in supporting the efforts of the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute by becoming an Honorary Member should contact the Sheriff if they do not receive an invitation in the mail or visit our web site at: www.sheriffsinstitute.org to download an application.

Rensselaer Senior Center Community Service Volunteers Needed

Looking For Dedicated Seniors To Help With our Community Service Program Every Thursday After Lunch. Making Afghans and Lap Robes For People in Nursing Homes Stuffed Animals For The Pediatric Departments in hospitals and emergency rooms Heart Pillows for Heart and Lung Surgery patients This Is a Very Rewarding Program and we are Needing A Few More Angels to keep this program in place or if you are homebound and willing to Crochet or knit from home to help us out then Please Call us if Interested We Are Open Monday thru Friday 9am-3pm We are Located in Rensselaer on East And Herrick Streets Call For Further Info.  518-463-2166

We Are Taking Empty Clear Pill Bottles Must Be See Thru

Woodside 56 Road Cemetery of East Poestenkill

Last year our roads were resurfaced, many monuments righted, lawn was mowed several times and

a new entrance sign was placed. Volunteers work hard to see that these are accomplished.

N.Y.S. Board of Cemeteries inspection gave a mark of good standing and congratulated volunteers

on great work. Thank you Boy Scout Troop 528 of Poestenkill, who placed 60 flags for our Veterans.

The public is invited to the cemetery between dusk and dawn. Monuments from the oldest generation

can be found with a beautiful view from the top of the hill. A visit will be informative and one will enjoy

the park like atmosphere. G.P.S 26 – 56 Road, Petersburgh, NY.

facebook.com/56woodsidecemetery/

Your donations are the future hope of the cemetery and our only income. Volunteers are welcome.

Please send your tax deductible contributions to Woodside 56 Road Cemetery P.O. Box 76, Poestenkill, NY 12140.

Questions? PH: 518 283 5303. Next Annual Meeting: May 5, 2020 at Union Gospel Church,

Plank Road East Poestenkill.

Still Looking For Some Weekend Warriors

The Sand Lake Ambulance has existed as a volunteer ambulance for 60 years, and we intend to be here for another 60. We are looking for people who want to help out, but may not have all the time in the world. You may be able to help out by giving us part of your weekend. We would recommend for us and for the volunteer that you try to do a couple of times a month. You only need to be able to drive a box truck, lift 50+ pounds, be willing to learn the radios, lights, and our guidelines, and follow through on the commitment. We’ll train you. Call us at 518-674-2221. We’ll train you to be an EMT too, if you want.

We Need EMT’s and Drivers We Will Train You

The Sand Lake Ambulance has been in existence for 60 years. We have operated as primarily a volunteer organization for most of that time. We need your help to keep our costs down by filling out as many shifts with volunteer EMT’s and drivers as we can. We could particularly use recent retirees who are looking to stay active working days during the week.

If you have ever been interested in becoming certified to provide emergency care to friends, family, neighbors, or others, we will pay for that training. The course is 4 months long and will require some commitment of time and work. And we will ask you to ride as a member for at least 2 years with Sand Lake Ambulance for training you. We also train ambulance drivers in EVOC training.

We generally work on keeping our skills up with regular training and try to keep it both educational and enjoyable. And as an active member of the ambulance, you’ll be working calls and helping your community. You need to be in fairly decent physical health and able to lift 50 pounds fairly easily, you need to be okay with working with trauma patients or sick community members, and you need to be willing to get up at all hours to do it.

Please consider joining, we need your service. We aren’t saying it won’t be work, but it will be worth it.

Brunswick Cares Food Pantry

We are excited to share that Brunswick Cares Food Pantry has been selected to be a part of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program, which is designed to make it easy for customers to contribute to their local community while supporting the environment.

For the month of August, each time a $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag is purchased at the Hannaford located at 126th Street Troy, $1 will be donated to Brunswick Cares Food Pantry.

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