ILION – Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES programs at the Remington school building raised $530 in money and gift cards and filled a car with Christmas presents for 10-year-old Central Valley student Anna LaBella, who is undergoing treatment for sarcoma cancer.
The Herkimer BOCES Pathways Academy Student Council organized the fundraiser with help from various programs.
“Since the medical expenses are very high for the family and they have to travel a lot to Albany for her treatments, Christmas was going to be very tight for them,” said Cheri Evangelista, a Pathways Academy teacher’s assistant who is one of the two Pathways Academy Student Council advisors along with art teacher Dina DeSarro. “The Student Council here at Pathways wanted to help and asked for each grade level to bring in different items and us as a school to collect money.”
Anna attended an assembly on Dec. 20 at the Remington school building to be recognized and receive the gifts for her and her younger brother.
Pathways Academy grades 7-8 collected arts and crafts supplies, grades 9-10 collected items for movie and game nights and grades 11-12 collected “comfy” items such as blankets, socks and pajamas, Evangelista said.
Employees from the Adult Literacy, Adult Practical Nursing and Migrant Education programs in the other part of the Remington school building donated as well, Evangelista said. “We also reached out to the other side of our building, and they jumped right on board,” she said. “Corie Luppino and Juli Metz helped with collecting on their side.”