In the past six years, the members of Retiree Council 12 have helped send children on journeys of the imagination and teachers on journeys of inspiration.

They have made it possible for classrooms to get supplies and a school nurse to get eyeglasses for a student.

In short, through a series of grants that have never exceeded $250 each, they have exemplified the idea that if you start small, you can reach far.

RC 12 started raising money for grants to Capital Region in-service locals in 2002, with the idea of giving in-service members the freedom to decide the best use for the funds.

"I think it keeps the connection between in-service locals and retirees, and it gives in-service locals an opportunity to learn about the retiree councils," said Judith Schultz, RC 12 president. "It's a good contact at both ends."

Schultz described the program in a panel discussion, "Retirees on the Move," at NYSUT's pre-Representative Assembly Local and Retiree Council Presidents Conference, in April.

The council raises the money through donations and selects locals as grant recipients through a random drawing.

"Retirees are sensitive to the needs of in-service members, and they have a rich store of experience to draw upon in designing programs like this," said NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue, who oversees retiree issues for the statewide union.

Retiree Council 12 has heard back from a number of locals that have received the grants. They have been used to bring motivational speakers to middle and high schools; they have helped schools purchase library books; they have bought supplies for first-year teachers; and they helped a school nurse pay for an eyeglass prescription for a student.

"It's a great feeling knowing that these grants have yielded such clear benefits — real supplies, real assistance and genuine help for our in-service members," said Karen Wojcik-Hess, first vice president of RC 12, who coordinates the grant program. "This has been a terrific effort by all of the members in Retiree Council 12, and it's their generosity and time that have made it work so well."

— Darryl McGrath