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Vol. LXIV, No. 8
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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Vol. LXIV, No. 8
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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Princeton Young Achievers Board Members
ROSLYN CHAO
Turner Court
JIM CRYAN
Springdale Road
JOANNE GERE
Mountain Avenue
ROSALIND HANSEN
Rosedale Road
BETSY SANDS
Hageman Lane
MARGE SMITH
Founder and Chair
Princeton Community Works
SUSAN W. HOSKINS
Executive Director
Princeton Senior Resource Center
To the Editor:
Well over a month past the holiday season, the generosity from the Princeton community has now been realized and is so greatly appreciated by the students of Princeton Young Achievers (PYA) in this new year. PYA is a unique after school program that provides academic support and literacy enrichment activities designed to engage underserved students more deeply in the love of reading and learning. The teachers of PYA have been receiving rave reviews from students about the books they have received and read from the Book Angel Tree Drive during the Christmas season.
In collaboration with PYA, Chicklet Books and Labyrinth Books each hosted a Book Angel Tree during the holidays, decorated with our students’ book requests. Nearly a hundred books were purchased and kindly donated by the Princeton area community to PYA students in time for the holidays. In the true spirit of giving, every request was granted, each book was wrapped, and all children received their book wish. The “gift of reading” is in support of our organization’s mission to foster a love of reading and the Literacy for Life curriculum. We match volunteer readers to students one on one, once a week for the academic year.
The book drive would also not have been possible without the additional support and hard work provided by Ace Hardware, Jordan’s Gifts, Princeton Township Affordable Housing, Princeton Community Housing, Princeton Human Services, Princeton University Office of the Alumni Association (thank you for wrapping!), the Greater Junior League of Princeton, AmeriCorps/Bonner Foundation, Randi Katzman, Nancy Rubenstein, and Pamela Elmi. This book drive is a heart-warming example of a community effort to meet the greatest unmet needs of our community, exemplifying the fact that children and literacy are priorities in Princeton. We hope everyone has an opportunity to come visit one of our community learning centers to see the promise that has resulted from your generosity. Thanks so much.
Princeton Young Achievers Board Members
ROSLYN CHAO
Turner Court
JIM CRYAN
Springdale Road
JOANNE GERE
Mountain Avenue
ROSALIND HANSEN
Rosedale Road
To the Editor:
With the economy still troubled, who can afford to travel to New York City to see a Broadway play? There are many fantastic and affordable theatrical opportunities right here in our area at the local public and private schools. Student productions offer our community the chance to experience excellent music and theatre while supporting the learning and growth of students as they discover what it takes to produce a high quality show.
The Hun School of Princeton is presenting the rock opera The Who’s Tommy in its Saks Auditorium the last two weekends in February, and the show is open to the public. With over 50 student and faculty actors, student produced video special effects, a student band that rocks, and an authentic pinball machine, Tommy promises unprecedented entertainment. Hun School Theatre Director Aaron Bogad’s goal is not just to put on a musical; he immerses the students in the drama and ties it to real life by supporting organizations in our area. The Janus Players, in conjunction with the productions, coordinated fundraising efforts on behalf of the Hun community. In 2009, with its Runaways production, the Janus Players organized support for Anchor House for runaway teens. Last year, with South Pacific, funds were raised for backpacks and supplies for U.S. troops. And now with Tommy, Eden Autism Services will receive a financial donation.
It’s a win-win-win situation. We all can experience musical theatre conveniently, enhance the education of area drama and music students, and support local non-profit organizations.
Don’t miss out; come see a show!
BETSY SANDS
Hageman Lane
To the Editor:
On January 25, more than 400 participants representing more than 200 non-profit organizations across the state attended this year’s 13th annual Princeton Community Works, which offers a series of workshops that provide insight and information while encouraging networking and teamwork. Our deep gratitude goes to Princeton University for its generosity as our host, to the 40 workshop presenters who donated their time and talents, and to the Nottingham High School Step Dancers who used their skills to demonstrate the key components of organizational success: Know Your Mission: Every Journey Begins with a Single Step; Spend Time on Formation: Step in Place and Know Your Part; Cheer People On: Don’t Wait Until the End of the Game to Cheer; and Take a Chance: Join In and Learn New Steps.
I also want to express my sincere appreciation to our dedicated, hard-working Community Works volunteers and to the on-going support of the media. Thank you.
MARGE SMITH
Founder and Chair
Princeton Community Works
To the Editor:
Every few months, the fate of the Valley Road School building re-emerges in the media. Most recently, the Recreation Department and Corner House presented their vision for a community center at the site. I would like to speak in support of the concept of having a community center which can not only provide a home for Corner House and the Recreation Department for teen and family programs, but which can also provide space for additional community activities.
The Princeton Senior Resource Center has outgrown our space at the Suzanne Patterson Building. We now hold classes for older adults in a variety of spaces throughout the community. Bringing them together at Valley Road would strengthen our programming. A community center would also enable us to collaborate with the Recreation Department and others to create inter-generational activities. I can also affirm, based on the community group use of the Suzanne Patterson Building, that there is a high demand for spaces for community group meetings and activities. I hope that this community will continue to seek ways to make the Valley Road Building an active multi-generational community center.
SUSAN W. HOSKINS
Executive Director
Princeton Senior Resource Center