Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061
Members Attending (18): Phil Kellerman, Murray Forth, Terry Brewer, Bill Dowd, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Charlie Foote, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Pat Bailey, Wells Packard, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Kevin Leyhane, Carol Orvis, Mike Bennett.
Guests (2): Jodi Sullivan, Jean Carazza.
MEETING NOTES: President Phil Kellerman presided, welcoming members and two guests. Phil also circulated for members’ signatures a sympathy card for former member Bonnie Nasca whose husband passed away last week. The attendees also agreed to send a monetary donation to the Carol A. Whittaker Global Health Travel Award Fund as requested in Phil Nasca’s obituary. … Members are reminded to contribute their returnable beverage containers from the holiday to our ongoing Clynk recycling-and-redemption effort for ShelterBox. Official plastic bags and bar-code stickers can be picked up at any meeting at Quigley’s. Phil K. also reminded members tonight was the final night of sales of free market coffee as a fundraiser for ShelterBox, with $5 from the sale of each bag going to the aid organization. …
Murray Forth took final reservations for the 6 p.m. Thursday, December 19, Holiday Party & Gift Basket Raffle he and Maggie are hosting. He stressed that anyone bringing appetizers or desserts limit the size to servings for four to avoid having too many leftovers. Also, attendees are strongly urged to bring along a themed gift basket for the silent auction. Suggested themes have been posted on the webite. …. Terry Brewer reported that Sunday, March 1, 2020, has been reserved for a Foundation Bowl-a-Thon to raise funds for two organizations we regularly support — the Oley Foundation for people using tube feeding and the Freedom From Fistula Foundation that deals with women’s obstetrical issues in sub-Saharan Africa. The site of the event will be the East Greenbush Bowling Center (formerly called Spare Time) on Columbia Turnpike. The contribution is $15 per person for as many frames as you can bowl in one of two sessions — noon to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. We also are soliciting $100 lane sponsors from businesses, individuals, groups, or families. Anyone interested in sponsorships is asked to contact Terry or Murray. …
Debbie Rodriguez thanked all who participated in our annual Adopt-a-Family drive in partnership with Circles of Mercy. The final gift donations will be delivered there on Friday. Debbie delivered another carload of gift earlier, along with a check for a $500 SRC grant to purchase personal hygiene kits. … This was the last dinner meeting of 2019. After next week’s holiday party and a hiatus for the Christmas and New Year’s weeks, we will resume Thursday sessions on January 9. Anyone who has been assigned program dates in January (check the chart on the website calendar page) is asked to let both program coordinator Dick Drumm and webmaster Bill Dowd know the speakers and topics ASAP.
Five SRC members attended the Albany Rotary Club’s annual silent auction fundraiser in support of District 7190 Gift of Life, which usually raised about $5,000. From left: Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Phil Kellerman, Doris Calamaras, Dean Calamaras. Several donated auction items, and Dean and Doris continue to be SRC’s liaisons with GOL.
PROGRAM: Maple Hill Mental Health Highlights
Maple Hill Junior-Senior High School today was named one of just 35 schools in the nation selected by the National Council for Behavioral Health’s teen “Mental Health First Aid” pilot program.
The project, which began last year with eight schools, has been expanded with the support of entertainer Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation.
“This first-of-a-kind program will truly make a difference in our communities, and we are excited that our state was chosen … ,” said Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS).
The course specifically highlights the important step of involving a responsible and trusted adult. To ensure additional support for students taking the training, Maple Hill will train approximately 30 school staff in “Mental Health First Aid for Adults Working With Young People.” Overall, the program aims to ensure that students are able to recognize when a friend or peer may be struggling, and to feel confident what to do to help.
Jodi Sullivan, a vice principal at Maple Hill, is the lead staff member working on the multi-faceted mental health wellness programs at the school.
In her presentation to SRC, she outlined the many components of the Scho0dack Central School District’s ongoing efforts — emotional and physical wellness, skills training in area beyond the classroom, conflict resolution, restorative practices, curriculum writing, creation of a Twitter page called (@maphillwellness (WIldcat Wellness), and many other activities.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 