NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Recess
Students at Albany School of Humanities (ASH) had an abundance of colors and styles of winter finery from which to choose on Wednesday thanks to our caring community.
Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s annual month-long Cash for Coats drive collected $19,500, enough to buy 1,030 new coats, 1,200 new hats and 1,700 new pairs of gloves that will be distributed to students in need at ASH and three other district elementary schools.
“What an incredible outpouring of love and support for our children,” said Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams at a new conference to distribute the coats. “You are truly all in for Albany.”
Now in its 12th year, the drive raises money during October and November that goes toward the purchase new coats and winter gear. Each year, Lodge’s Department Store offers a significant discount on any items purchased for “Cash for Coats,” maximizing the impact of each cash donation. The Palace Theatre also passed around a hat at several concerts and events this fall.
The lists of schools receiving coats rotates from year to year; in addition to ASH, students at Delaware Community School, Giffen Memorial Elementary School and Pine Hills Elementary School received coats from this year’s drive. North Albany Middle School also will receive coats in the coming week.
Also at Wednesday's news conference were Mayor Sheehan, Lodge's owners Jack and Mark Yonnally, Palace Acting Executive Director Billy Piskutz and members of the Burke family -- generous and longtime donors to the campaign.
Visit our Facebook page to see photos from the news conference. (You don’t need a Facebook account to see the photos. A window may display the text "To see more from Albany City Schools on Facebook, log in or create an account," but this can be dismissed by clicking "not now.")
