On December 11, 2023, volunteers from the Byron-Bergen Faculty Association (BBFA) made their list, checked it twice, and made sure everyone received something nice. These holiday helpers filled shopping carts with over $10,000 of merchandise to assist local families in need. For many years, district teachers, staff, and administrators have worked together with local partners to make the season merrier in the Byron-Bergen area.
The annual Holiday Giving Project aims to ease holiday stress for members of the Byron-Bergen community. This year, the BBFA collected donations from faculty, staff, and individual community members to purchase gifts for 99 kids from 43 local families. Community groups also “adopted” families, raising the total reach to 117 kids from 51 local families.
“The Holiday Giving Project really is a community effort,” said Byron-Bergen Faculty Association President Ken Gropp. “We are so glad that this yearly endeavor can brighten the holiday season for our students and community.”
The hard work of the BBFA did not go without the notice of Superintendent Pat McGee. “I am so thankful our district prioritizes the support of students and families. It was my pleasure to work with our Board of Education to create a formal resolution showing our appreciation for the outstanding dedication of the BBFA.”
At the opening of the Jr. High School Winter Concert on December 14, McGee and the members of the Byron-Bergen Board of Education honored several BBFA members with the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Byron-Bergen Central School District’s mission is to inspire, prepare, and support using the values of compassion, humility, kindness, and persistence with the vision to change the world one student at a time; and
WHEREAS, the Byron-Bergen Faculty Association Holiday Fund helps individuals and families in our community in need; and
WHEREAS, Byron-Bergen Faculty Association Members, Kerri Smith, Ashley Williams, Kristie Holler, Jenna Voos, Courney Bapst, Alyssa Hancock, Megan Wahl, Ken Gropp, Diana Walther, Nichole Whiteford, and Sandy Auer volunteer their time to lead this important endeavor to help those families in need;
WHEREAS, your dedication, passion, generosity, and unwavering commitment have truly made a significant impact on these families and our community; and
WHEREAS, your collective efforts have not only brought joy and cheer but have also fostered a sense of togetherness and hope during the holiday season, and
WHEREAS, your selflessness and willingness to contribute have touched the lives of many, spreading warmth and happiness where it’s needed the most,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education sincerely appreciates the hard work of the Byron-Bergen Faculty Association Holiday Fund volunteers and all who donated to this special cause for their generosity and hard work in supporting our students and learning community during the holiday season.
The members of the BBFA in attendance joined the Board of Education and Superintendent McGee for a round of applause from the community they serve.
After five days of shopping, wrapping, organizing, and labeling, BBFA members delivered bags filled with brightly wrapped and labeled presents to individual cars in the High School bus loop. And next year, they will do it all again.
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