Connetquot Teachers Collect and Donate More than 1000 Mittens and Hats to Needy Children

Loretta Powell, President of the Connetquot Teachers Association, today announced that a program that ran for only one week (December 3-7) was totally embraced by the community and teaching staff. According to Kristine Abbinanti (Cherokee Elementary School) "Over 1,000 hats and mittens were delivered to the Cohalan Family Center on December 18th."

Ms. Powell, Kevin Duffy and Ms. Abbinanti made the delivery into the hands of Wendy Meyer, the CTA contact with the Cohalan Court complex. Ms. Abbinanti explained that the genesis of this CTA project occurred during the summer of 2007 in a conversation with Wendy Meyer. Ms. Abbinanti was looking for a community service project her fifth grade students could take part in. Ms. Meyer pointed out the need for hats and mittens for children that pass through their Children's Center. The Center provides a safe area for youngsters while families are involved in court proceedings.

Enlisting the support of the Connetquot Teachers Association through Nancy Dunlop, Loretta Powell and Kevin Duffy the project was adopted and more than 1,000 children will benefit. Collection bins were set up in each school in the Connetquot School district and teachers, students and members of the community were asked to participate. Support for this program was so positive that retired teachers also took part, and contributed. Ms. Powell was very pleased with, and proud of, the contributions made by the community, and the Connetquot teaching staff.