Commentary

Editor's note: This commentary is in response to a comment in Sound Off, The Monument's anonymous comment call-in column.

Dear Sound Off Writer,

I can address your recent anonymous comment regarding MSAD #15 administrators not supporting food donations to benefit the Gray Food Pantry.

The "Parade To The Pantry" food drive that you are reflecting on took place for a total of four years at Russell School and was the creation of the Gray-New Gloucester PTSA. At no time was the district administration involved in the coordination of or responsible for staffing the many volunteers necessary for the event. Fortunately the PTSA did enjoy the full cooperation of administration and staff at Russell School and the event was very popular and successful.

The PTSA held the event for one year after Grades 3-5 moved to Dunn School. The remaining K-2 children simply are not physically capable of handling the amount of food donated. Having the older children at the school enabled the younger children to participate in the event without bearing 100% of the labor. The older students also presented the correct number of hands necessary to span the distance from Russell School to the Gray Town Office.

After a short break, the GNG PTSA replaced the event with a larger event to benefit local and statewide charitable organizations through the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn. Last June, in recognition of National Hunger Awareness Day, the GNG PTSA coordinated the collection and donation of over 1,000 pounds of non-perishable foods to GSFB. This project included participants from all of the GNG District PTSA schools including Dunn, Russell, Memorial and GNG Middle School. The PTSA hopes to add GNG High School students as food donors and volunteers and to host a district-wide "Fill The Bus" food drive next June.

In closing, I am glad that parents are talking and asking about district enrichment and social events and noticing when they no longer take place. The PTSA always welcomes new members. A donation of time is a priceless gift to OUR children and OUR communities and nothing is appreciated more.

The GNG PTSA will meet on January 5th and 19th 2006 at 7 PM in the GNG Middle School on Libby Hill Road in Gray. After January, monthly meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month at the same time and location. GNG PTSA information available online from the link at www.msad15.org

Thank you,
Stefanie Nichols
Gray-New Gloucester PTSA Secretary
11-year active PTSA member

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