Community Relations Committee helping those in need during the holiday season
Members of the Community Relations Committee adopted a Schenectady family of four for the holidays (a father and three children). Committee members purchased toys, clothes, and household items to help out this family in need. Many thanks to Karen Cahill (Chair, Community Relations Committee) Dave Lavoie, Melissa Petalas, Joe Krongold, Amanda Blanchard, Jonie Civill, Ginny O’Brien, Brenda Larkin, Chris Glogowski, Diane Sluus, Sue Thompson, and Judy Kaiser for their huge generosity in making a great holiday for this family.
Several committee members also baked brownies and delivered them to Catholic Charities Housing SRO (single room occupancy) residents to enjoy with their Thanksgiving dinner in November. Committee members will also help residents of the Waldorf SRO community celebrate the New Year by assembling “treat” bags for each of them to be delivered in time for the New Year.
This year’s committee kept busy helping organizations in need. Below is a recap of some of their activities:
On March 16, 2021, members of the Community Relations Committee met at the Veteran’s Miracle Center to help sort items in the organization’s massive warehouse located at 10 Interstate Avenue in Albany, NY. This was a new location for the committee and the members were very impressed with the operation.
The Veterans Miracle Center is a ministry of Jezreel International, a non-profit humanitarian aid organization. The VMC strives to offer veterans solutions that bring them hope and enhance their lives by providing them with goods and services free of charge.
On May 18, 2021, GCAR Community Relations Committee members joined efforts with some members of the Southern Adirondack REALTORS® to help clean up the grounds at the Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne, New York.
June 17, 2021, members of the Community Relations Committee met at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York to sort food items to be packaged for delivery.
October 13, 2021, the committee held a silent auction at the GCAR Trade Show to benefit HATAS (Homes and Travelers Aid Society). Its mission is to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions for the most vulnerable members of our community by preventing, combating, and reducing homelessness within the Capital Region.
As a reminder – you do not have to be a member of the committee to volunteer – everyone is welcome!
Thanks to the generosity of the GCAR members contributing to the Community Outreach Fund, a total of $22,000.00 was donated to deserving area organizations in 2021:
Capital District Women Veterans Program
Concerned for the Hungry
Edinburg Emergency Squad
Homeless & Travelers Aid Society
Joseph’s House & Shelter
Junior Achievement
Mr. Mo Project
Rebuilding Together Saratoga County
Schenectady Community Action Program
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Veteran’s Miracle Center
We appreciate your continued participation in helping area non-profit organizations.