RCS staff combine holiday assistance efforts
WPW to aid local families
By Carol Gugliotta | Manor Ink
Town of Rockland, NY – It takes two villages to make Wolf Pack Wishes come true.
It’s that time of year when we look forward to celebrating the holidays with our families, friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, some Rockland students may not get to experience the season in the usual joyful way. They have no need to worry, however, thanks to the newly formed Rockland Central School District.
The hamlets of Livingston Manor and Roscoe each had holiday-help programs for their respective school districts, but with the districts’ merger this year, Roscoe and Manor teachers and staff decided to consolidate their efforts to form “Wolf Pack Wishes.” The unified holiday assistance project, named for RCS’s mascot, is a happy outcome, as the alternative would be no program at all.
In previous years, each school district has helped many families by providing winter clothing, gifts for children and holiday meals, making for a memorable and happy holiday season. Manor Ink interviewed Wolf Pack Wishes coordinators and RCS elementary teachers René Carlson and Jennifer Portz to learn more about the new program.
How to Donate to WPW
Gifts: New unwrapped toys and clothing items can be dropped off at either of the Manor or Roscoe campuses of Rockland Central School.
Checks: Make them out to Rockland Teachers Association with Wolf Pack Wishes in the memo, and mail to Wolf Pack Wishes, c/o René Carlson/Jen Portz, PO Box 947, Livingston Manor, NY 12758.
Deadline: Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Carlson, a teacher for 26 years, said she first got involved with holiday causes at the very beginning of her career. Portz, another veteran teacher with 30 years experience, only recently decided to get involved. She had been inspired by observing a colleague help families during a previous holiday season.
“I really enjoyed what she did, seeing her give to the community,” Portz said. “And I thought, OK, I can help out with that.”
Carlson described the challenges facing WPW. “We are now trying to merge the two programs. Roscoe had a wonderful program, and Livingston Manor had a wonderful program, and we want to keep the best of both of these holiday programs,” she said.
Both Carlson and Portz agreed that seeing joy on a family’s faces when they receive gifts makes the effort worthwhile. They are also currently soliciting gifts from the public. For further information on the program, email Renè.Carlson@rcsd.us or Jennifer.Portz@rcsd.us.