The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

October 25, 2012

PTO offers ‘Hope’ to district families

By Joe Pinchot Herald Staff Writer

HERMITAGE — The Hermitage Parent-Teacher Organization thrives only through the generosity of people participating in its fundraisers and volunteering for its activities, said Executive PTO President Gina Grata.

The Executive PTO – which oversees the Artman and Ionta-Delahunty PTOs – would like to give something back to those who have made it successful, and has initiated Harvest Hope, a program to provide needy families in the school district with Thanksgiving dinners.

“It’s nice to come up with some new things,” said Executive PTO Secretary Teresa Trontel. “The whole point of the PTO is to be community based. It’s the first time we’ve really taken on a big community project like this.”

The PTO is seeking money donations so that turkeys, stuffing, sauces, desserts and other turkey day fixings can be bought; volunteers for packing the boxes; and nominations of families who can use the help.

School officials will handle all information about needy families, whose names will remain confidential.

Brian Schaller, director of curriculum, said the district has programs that help out students, including Halloween parties in Orange Village and Shenango Park Apartments, the holiday Angel Tree and coordinating business and organization sponsorships of families.

“I thought it would be nice to do something to try to reach out to the district, K to 12,” Trontel said.

Unfortunately, there is a growing need for assistance.

“I think the need is increasing every year,” said Patricia Elford, children services specialist for kindergarten through grade four.

She said she sees students coming to school hungry, and the failure to have basic needs met affects their behavior at school.

“You have to help whole families – that’s where it starts,” she said. “It’s just an awesome opportunity we have with the PTO.”

The PTO provided $800 in seed money, and is asking for $25 donations to sponsor a family, although donations in any denomination will be accepted.

PTO officials are approaching grocery stores to secure turkeys and will shop for other ingredients. Officials believe they can provide Thanksgiving dinners to 80 to 100 families.

Hickory High School Students for Charity will help pack the boxes and PTO officials hope other older students will participate. PTO officials said they think the experience gives students a “reality check.”

“We’re really fortunate that we can sit down and have Thanksgiving dinner,” Grata said. “There are families that don’t have that.”

Artman Elementary School Principal Amy Wanchisn said the program is typical of how the PTO benefits the district.

“As a PTO organization, they’re always looking for ways to help our students and our community,” she said. “We really appreciate that.”

Boxes will be packed at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Artman, and will be available for delivery or pickup the morning of Nov. 17.

Checks can be made out to Executive PTO/Harvest Hope and sent to  Hermitage School District/Executive PTO, 411 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage 16148. For ordering purposes, officials ask that donations be made by Nov. 2.

Names of families who could benefit can be e-mailed to patricia_elford@hermitage.k12.pa.us, or call Elford at 724-981-8750, ext. 5901.

Questions about Harvest Hope can be sent to ttrontel@srhs-pa.org or ginagrata@aol.com

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