Schools

Community Shows Its Generosity At Patch To School Event

Residents donated supplies to help local needy families during a special event hosted by Cranford Patch and the school district last week.

As they have been doing since the flood waters from Hurricane Irene receded three weeks ago, Cranford residents and businesses once again showed their generosity for their neighbors during a Patch to School event last week.

In an effort to reach out to the community and help collect supplies for students affected by the flood, Cranford Patch conducted a Patch to School event at Hillside and Orange Avenue Schools last week.

The day began at , where Principal Michelle Vella and her staff welcomed Patch staff and community members. Throughout the morning, community members dropped off school supplies that were then stuffed into backpacks to be donated to local children.

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The Patch to School event continued in the afternoon, where Principal Curt Fogas and members of his staff helped us set up a table in the school's main hallway. During the afternoon, residents dropped off supplies and Patch staff members had the opportunity to speak to parents outside the school as well.

Local businesses also showed their generosity during the event. Donations made by , and were very much appreciated and will benefit the local families who are struggling in the wake of the hurricane.

Find out what's happening in Cranfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition to the help and generosity of the businesses and residents who donated supplies and participated in Patch to School, the event was also successful thanks to the support of Cranford Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gayle Carrick, her assistant, Michele Cammarata, and members of the Cranford School District PTA who were instrumental in organizing and spreading the word about the event.

Hillside Avenue School is now home to the children from Brookside Place School, which was flooded when Hurricane Irene barreled though the Northeast last last month. Several backpacks and supplies were left at HAS, and more are available for those in need. Anyone who needs these items or knows someone who could use them should contact Cranford Patch Local Editor Toniann Antonelli and toniann.antonelli@patch.com or 908-380-1403.


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