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In the News....
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Holiday Edition January 2020
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RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR!
A CELEBRATION OF VANDERHEYDEN'S 185TH MILESTONE YEAR
Vanderheyden's Black and White Gala was the finale to our 185th Anniversary Year Celebration! And, what a finale it was!
Over 200 supporters rang in the New Year with Vanderheyden at the dazzling Sixty State Place in Albany.
The celebration featured the New York Players entertainment group Body & Soul for a night of non-stop dancing!
Thank you to our wonderful guests and Team Members and our sensational sponsors who made the inaugural Vanderheyden Black & White Gala a spectacular event!
A special thank you to the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Albany for providing a special rate for our revelers!
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AND, THE WINNER IS!
VANDERHEYDEN NAMED TO 2019 ACHIEVERS
BY THE ALBANY BUSINESS REVIEW
Vanderheyden was named Nonprofit of the Year as part of the Albany Business Review's 2019 Achievers Awards!
Karen Carpenter Palumbo, president and CEO of Vanderheyden, received the award for the 185-year-old organization in November at Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady.
From the Albany Business Review:
"CEO Karen Carpenter Palumbo was recruited in 2012 to turn around the organization, then at risk of closure because of financial difficulties. Vanderheyden is now in its 185th year, and has increased its Regents passing percentage to 47% from 17% in 2016-17."
Thank you Albany Business Review for this prestigious honor!
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Twenty-two Vanderheyden students from our Richard A. Desrochers Educational Center received "Certificates of Appreciation" awards for their empowered artwork to ensure that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's legacy lives on.
A reception was held in January at Siena College's Sarazen Student Union in Loudonville, which featured artwork and writing from students throughout the Capital Region.
The exhibit was part of the 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art Poster and Writing Invitational.
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Vanderheyden was the recipient of Subaru's "Share the Love" event, courtesy of Carbone Subaru of Troy!
As a giveback, Vanderheyden's chorus sang a selection of uplifting Holiday tunes for the staff and customers at the Hoosick Street store.
Thank you to Carbone Subaru of Troy and their customers for their most generous donation!!
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From Vanderheyden's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at our Wynantskill campus to the 2019 Holiday Program and Wish Room, over 500 individuals and families felt the joy and spirit of giving from the Capital Region community this holiday season.
Thank you to Paula Stopera for her donation of warm, red fleece Vanderheyden vests for our individuals! We are so grateful!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the holiday season a little brighter for our Vanderheyden family.
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Both individuals and Team Members were overjoyed when Santa Claus visited the Richard A. Desrochers Educational Center!
Thank you, Santa Nick, for making the holiday season special for Vanderheyden!
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Cap Com Financial Services and their Emerald Circle Clients provided wonderful gifts to our individuals and their families at a Cap Com Holiday Event!
Thank you, Cap Com, for all you do for Vanderheyden!
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Students at the Richard A. Desrochers Educational Center at Vanderheyden were treated to
a fantastic Holiday Shoppe, courtesy of the school's PBIS!
From Holly Hughes, PBIS/Day Service coordinator:
"The PBIS team would like to thank all the staff at the school who made donations to the PBIS Holiday Shop, all the administrators who made donations, and a thank you to Coleen Mahar who decorated the entrance to the Holiday Shop with her extraordinary talents. We appreciate all of you.
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The Vanderheyden community was happy to see Polly Mason at our Wynantskill campus during the holiday season.
One of our residential cottage is named for Mason, a former president of the Junior League of Troy. "Polly's Cottage" remains a special place for our young women.
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THANK YOU PASTOR CHARLIE!
Pastor Charlie Muller from Victory Christian Church in Albany and Colonie stopped by Vanderheyden's Wynantskill campus with bags full of gifts for our individuals.
Thank you so much to you and your congregations for your generous gifts!!
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OUR MISSION: JAZZY'S PROJECT!
VOLUNTEERING AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Thank you to our wonderful students and Team Members at the Richard A. Desrochers Educational Center for continuing their mission: Jazzy's Project, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Albany.
The school's Career Exploration class started the program last summer, in honor of a niece of a Team Member who was diagnosed with leukemia.
For the holidays, the group volunteered once again at the RMD House and collected food and drink items needed for the many families who stay there while their child is undergoing life-saving treatment at a nearby hospital. Our group also helped with baking and a house clean-up effort.
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THANK YOU CITY ROCKS!
KUDOS TO ROSE & KIERNAN TOO!
In December, the City Rocks Basketball program stopped by the gym at Vanderheyden's Richard A. Desrochers Educational Center bearing gifts.
What a visit it was! Each player on Vanderheyden's Boys Basketball Team received new royal blue Nike sneakers and socks to match their uniforms!
The Royals sure look sharp in their new footwear!
Thank you so much for your generosity, and a special thank you to Rose & Kiernan for organizing the visit!
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GIVING THANKS - THE VANDERHEYDEN WAY!
The 36th Annual Vanderheyden Thanksgiving Dinner was held at our Wynantskill campus, where individuals, families and Team Members from our community joined together for a night of memories and giving thanks.
Our newly-retired Team Members Mike and Brenda Iwaneczko graciously volunteered their time to put together this wondrous event, as they have for the past 36 years.
Thank you to our many volunteers and Team Members who donated the pies and their time to make this a successful team effort!
A special thank you to all the Capital Region businesses who donated food and drink items for the dinner. They include Hannaford, Yonder Farms, Dzembo Dairy, Sysco Albany, Brickman Produce, Bella Napoli Bakery and Team Member Nurse Barb Smith and her husband Buzz.
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THANK YOU BRUNSWICK CHURCH!
For over 25 years, Brunswick Church has supported our efforts to provide individual and families in the Vanderheyden community meals for delivery for Thanksgiving.
When a plea went out that Vanderheyden could have 25 more families in need since we brought the Rensselaer Family Advocate Program under our umbrella, Terry Wingate from the church went to her Deacons who approved the increase.
This year, the church, Deacons and congregation donated 71 meals to the program, which was a 45% increase from last year.
In November, Karen Carpenter Palumbo, president and CEO of Vanderheyden, addressed the congregation at the church on White Church Lane.
From a representative of the Brunswick Church:
"Brunswick Church is grateful for your partnership in this ministry and we look forward to serving these families in our community by providing them with a Thanksgiving meal! We also appreciate your CEO, Karen Carpenter Palumbo coming to our Sunday morning services and sharing with our congregation the many ways Vanderheyden serves the community. She did an outstanding job and had several people comment that they really didn't know much about Vanderheyden and all the programs that are offered to the community, so it was very enlightening!"
A very special thank you to the Brunswick Church for making this a very Happy Thanksgiving for all we serve!
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A FUN DAY AT THE ANNUAL TURKEY TROT
What a picture perfect morning it was for Vanderheyden's 38th Annual Turkey Trot in Wynantskill on November 26th!
Scores of runners and volunteers from our Vanderheyden community converged upon Cooper Hill Road for a little exercise and fun! Prizes were given out for both runners and walkers.
Thank you to all our participants, volunteers and organizers, and also Southpaw from the Tri-City ValleyCats and the officers at the North Greenbush Police Department.
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Vanderheyden's Family Engagement comes as a unified email that families with students in our Richard A. Desrochers Educational Center can access to ask questions, share information and request resources from the school committee.
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THANK YOU HANNAFORD!
Vanderheyden is excited to be participating in the 2020 Hannaford Helps Schools program! Our participating location is at 40 Main Avenue, Wynantskill.
Help earn money for our school by shopping for participating products. For every 4 qualifying products you buy, our school earns $3! Choose from over 1,500 participating products, ranging from breakfast and lunch items to household supplies.
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BLUE BOX DONATIONS ALWAYS WELCOME!
Time to clean out your closets for the season! We will accept any unwanted clothing item! Bring them to our campus at 614 Cooper Hill Road in Wynantskill, and look for the "Blue Box" at the entrance to our parking lot. Thank you so much for your help!
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To make a donation on our website,
click on the "Donate Now" button.
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