Florida retirees help teens

The Clearwater Unit of Teachers Retired in Florida has celebrated its third year of helping at-risk teenage boys in Pinellas County, Fla.

The Clearwater retirees are sponsoring boys age 12 to 17 who live at Egan Cottage, a residential youth program operated by the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Inc. The Youth Ranches is a statewide nonprofit child-care agency that was founded by the Florida Sheriffs Association.

The retirees have raised more than $2,000 and donated $1,000 in gifts for the Egan Cottage residents.

For details about the Clearwater sponsorship program or to make a donation through the Clearwater Unit, contact Richard Gordon, Clearwater webmaster, at www.trifcut.org.

Reminder on RA election procedures

For reference purposes, the official Notice of Nomination & Election, and Election & Campaign Procedures ran in the Jan. 17 edition of New York Teacher. It may also be found on the NYSUT Web site, www.nysut.org.

Sewanhaka reading program expands

A Target Reading Program sponsored by the retiree chapter of the Sewanhaka Federation of Teachers continues to grow in the Nassau County district.

Among other projects, retiree volunteers have been sharing holiday stories with elementary students at Halloween, Thanksgiving and at the year-end celebrations.

"It is the enthusiasm of the students that keeps the program strong and makes us eager to expand," commented Julia O'Keefe, one of the readers.

The group also takes part in the annual Read Across America Day, which is sponsored by the National Education Association, one of NYSUT's national affiliates.