Fundraiser for local schools | News, sports, jobs

Submitted photo Pictured are WNY P-TECH students Dakota Kent, Parker Bohn, Myah Benjamin, Brandon Hamilton, Masen Miller, Paul Cunningham, Tiahjae Perez, Gavin Milner, Tyler McIntyre, Max Hansen-Ivett and Jon Pilski, and Melissa Pietrkiewicz, school social worker.

SAVE Club students at WNY P-TECH STEM College & Career Academy in Dunkirk want to help those less fortunate in Chautauqua County.

With the help of Partners in Kind of Chautauqua County, the club will host a food and donation drive to help schools not already served by FeedMoreNY set up a food and hygiene pantry. Members collect items to benefit students who bounce around different houses throughout the week or who are unhoused.

SAVE Club, through the Sandy Hook Foundation, is a national initiative to build community within schools to prevent violence.

Members of the WNY P-TECH SAVE Club recognize that there are barriers beyond the school walls for students in our county that make it difficult for them to focus and excel in their diverse programs. As they participated in actions throughout the year to build inclusivity and connection, they felt the need to do something about one issue in particular: food insecurity.

Thursday, November 14, at the following locations: WNY P-TECH, 55 E. Benton St., Dunkirk; Vacanti’s Hair Salon, 7 E. Main St., Fredonia; and Forestville Chiropractic (4Square Wellness), 24 Main St., Forestville.

Items collected include winter hats and gloves, travel size shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes/paste, dry shampoo, microwave meals, rice pouches, hearty soups that do not require a can opener, protein bars, snack packs, beef jerky, granola bars, macaroni and cheese , fruit leather, fruit snacks, trail mix and travel silverware.

Anyone with questions is asked to contact Melissa Pietrkiewicz, school social worker at WNY P-TECH, at 716-672-3144 ext. 2820.

WNY P-TECH offers a project-based, differentiated learning structure with specialized educators who collaborate with higher education, business partners and public school districts. Students work to earn Regents degrees from New York State and AAS degrees in welding technology, mechanical technology with specializations in CADD or machine tools, or mechatronics from SUNY Jamestown Community College.