The Sloatsburg Village Board met this past Tuesday, February 14. The short agenda included a presentation by Pablo Ramos of an Approved Fire District Map, letter to Bennetto Persichetti, Sr., and recognition of the recent birthday party held at Characters in honor of Fr. John McKenna. McKenna celebrated his 90th birthday Saturday, and has been a longtime leader at St. Joan of Arc Church.
The Sloatsburg Students’ Scholarship Fund was formed to lend a hand for Sloatsburg students by awarding annual scholarships in various categories for Sloatsburg students at the elementary, middle and high school level.
Village Trustee Pete Akey presented a report on the newly created Sloatsburg Students’ Scholarship Fund Committee. Formed to oversee, develop and fundraise for existing student scholarships, the committee separates these activities from direct village government oversite. Currently, the committee is reviewing past scholarships and developing its fundraising plan. Patricia Hartnett chairs the committee. The board discussed challenges the committee faces in articulating its mission throughout the Sloatsburg community. Officers for the committee include Chair Hartnett, Secretary Adriana Armstrong and Treasurer Annmarie McAnany.
Akey serves as adviser and board liaison to the committee.
The Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund itself is comprised of several annual scholarships in various categories that are awarded to Sloatsburg students at the elementary, middle and high school levels. The awards are designed to help defray the first year cost of attending college or vocational studies.
Hartnett reported that the committee will hold its first fundraiser Tuesday, February 21 at Characters Restaurant in Sloatsburg. Diners at the restaurant who mention the scholarship fund will receive a donation of 20% of their bill toward the scholarship fund — for in-restaurant diners only.
Additonally, the board discussed a strategy to help the committee qualify as a stand-alone 501 non-profit corporation. The board directed village attorney Matthew J. Byrne, from the Suffern law firm Balsamo, Byrne, Cipriani & Ellsworth, to review the scholarship committee’s 501 application and to help expedite the process. Suzanne Daycock was retained to work with both the scholarship committee and the Sloatsburg Fire Department on exploring the feasibility of obtaining grant monies.
Upcoming village events include: Tuesday, February 21 Sloatsburg Students’ Scholarship fundraiser at Characters Restuarant, Saturday, March 3 DARE Spaghetti Dinner, and Saturday, April 7 Easter Egg Hunt at St. Mary’s Villa.
