Unionists pitch in on flood relief
Livingston Manor Central Schools junior Jamie Bertholf may have lost her life in the June flooding that swamped the Sullivan County community, but her teachers, neighbors, friends and community members have made sure she won't be forgotten.
Jaime Snow, a member of the Livingston Manor Teachers Association, organized a 5-kilometer run/walk-a-thon to create a commemorative scholarship in Bertholf's name. Snow organized the event in conjunction with the district's Parent Teachers Student Organization.
"We needed to come together as a community and as a school to remember her," said Snow, a grade 5-8 reading teacher who co-advises Bertholf's class of 2008 with colleague Liz Cook. "She was a very sweet girl who was very active in her class."
Some 200-plus students, faculty and community members took part in the September event and a family fun day, raising more than $6,000 for the fund.
Val Taggart, also a member of the Livingston Manor TA, designed a T-shirt featuring the name of the scholarship fund, a flower illustration and a listing of sponsors on the back.
"It really was a great opportunity for everyone in the community to come together to remember her," said Snow.
Bertholf was killed when her house collapsed and was swept away by summer flood waters.
The Livingston Manor TA is led by Frank Adamse.
About NYSUT Flood Relief 2006
How to Give
You may donate online by following the above link, or make your check payable to "NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund" to NYSUT Headquarters, Attn: Jeff Lockwood, Accounting Department, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York 12110.
Effective immediately, all donations to the disaster fund (a tax deductible 501(c)3 fund) will be designated for 2006 flood relief.
Application for Qualified Disaster Relief Payment
Your union is committed to helping members in times of need through its Disaster Relief and Scholarship Fund.
Download Application. PDF file is 50K. Please read and follow the instructions.
Note: The deadline for application submission is Oct. 31, 2006. Grants will be acted upon and distributed in November, 2006. If extenuating or emergency circumstances exist which require emergency processing, please contact Helen Vickery at NYSUT (1-800-342-9810, ext. 6213; 518-213-6000, ext. 6213).
