A Pat on the Back(pack)!
By Eileen Annechino
Cryder Point’s first Operation Backpack was up and running last month, and it turned
out to be a great success. As part of the Volunteers of America Organization,
Operation Backup takes in school supply donations for children living in shelters.
Last year they ‘stuffed’ over 18,000 backpacks, and VAO spokesperson Andrew Zibell
reported that they have exceeded that goal this year—helped by contributions from
the Cryder Point community!
We focused on getting supplies for kids in grades 1 through 4, which turned out to
be the perfect call. (“Grades one through four are the most in need,” Mr. Zibell said.)
Supply lists were posted and boxes for each building to hold all the donations were
decorated (the boxes were decorated by resident artists Gail Smith and Emma and
Stella (Heather Schmitt and Chris Crescenzo’s daughters). In all, Cryder Point
volunteers counted and sorted 25 full boxes of school supplies. But the boxes had to
be delivered, and with Bill Newell’s okay, Cryder Point staffers Andres Vargas and
Louie Memishi loaded up and transported the goods to VAO in Manhattan (thank
you!).
Throughout the donation period, which lasted about 10 days, “hall monitors”
emptied boxes and counted inventory: Joseph and Carmela Leonardi (01), Emma and
Stella (21)--with a wee bit of help from Heather and Chris--and CeCe Schob (41).
There was shopping too, as several shareholders contributed cash to the cause
which, along with monies set aside by the Cryder Point Community Affairs
Committee, allowed us to pool spending power; between committee funds and
residents’ contributions, the committee was able to purchase more than $550 worth
of school supplies. And that doesn’t count the supplies that individuals donated.
And boy, were there donations! Imagine a total of 2,640 crayons, over 1,000 colored
pencils, more than 750 pencils, 800 markers, 127 composition books, 70 packages of
loose leaf paper and 45 water color paint sets, not to mention lots of safety scissors,
glue and glue sticks. All in all, over 1,000 contributions were collected, totaling more
than 6,500 items.
Thanks go to the boxing crew: Emma, Stella (she kept sorting until every box was
sealed!), Heather, Chris, Joseph, and Dorene Finnegan. In addition, a special shout
out goes to Damien and Kate at the Bayside Staples store--they helped CeCe Schob
and me with a large amount of supplies purchased at really good sale prices and
worked with us to make sure we received the best value. (If you find yourself at
Bayside Stapes, please extend a thank you from Cryder Point!) Also, thank you to our
friends at Shop Rite, who donated a $50 gift card for the effort.
And of course, major thanks to all Cryder Pointers who donated supplies and
contributed money for this worthy cause. Mr. Zibell noted, “The support we received
from communities this year was amazing.” Way to go Cryder Point!
8 CRYDER POINT COURIER | SEPTEMBER 2018 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM