Students who need something at the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES William E. Busacker Complex can open the Community Closet and often find what they’re looking for – with more items now available thanks to a donation from H&R Block.
The Herkimer BOCES Valley Pathways in Technology Early College High School Student Council, in collaboration with the Herkimer BOCES School to Careers program, has been taking inventory and stocking the Community Closet, located outside of the STC office.
“The Community Closet is open to all students in the building and provides much-needed items ranging from school supplies to personal hygiene item,” said Samantha Wahl, VP-TECH Student Council and VP-TECH English teacher. “The Community Closet is a means to support students who may need such items, and all are welcomed to donate items through the VP-TECH Student Council or School to Careers.”
H&R block donated many items to the closet on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
“The VP-TECH Student Council members take great pride in helping their peers in any way they can and are thrilled to have received a generous donation of personal hygiene products from our business partner, H&R Block,” Wahl said. “Our generous community partner delivered many items to the WEB Complex on Nov. 1, and after a great deal of heavy lifting, organizing and restocking, the Community Closet is fully stocked.”
H&R Block donated three-in-one soap, loofahs, women’s shampoo, tissues, bar soap, cocoa butter, SheaMoisture soap, facewash, moisturizers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tampons/pads, deodorant, packages of socks, hairbrushes, Band-Aids, wet wipes and hair ties.
The VP-TECH Student Council members are 12th grader Makenzie Boardman, of Central Valley; 12th grader Landon Davidson, of Frankfort-Schuyler; 12th grader Cierra Tero-Gomez, of Herkimer; 10th grader Cooper Jordan, of Herkimer; and 10th grader Shawna King, of Herkimer.
Herkimer BOCES VP-TECH focuses on technology, project-based learning and real-world work situations. VP-TECH is a six-year program that can also be completed early in four or five years.
VP-TECH students have the opportunity to earn a Regents diploma, complete a Career and Technical Education program, make connections with local businesses and earn a no-cost associate degree from Herkimer College.
The associate degree can be in quality assurance, business administration, computer network and security, or electrical engineering technology.
VP-TECH Student Council members will continue to accept donations from those within Herkimer BOCES, other community members or business partners. Interested parties may contact Wahl at swahl@herkimer-boces.org for information or to plan donations.
H&R Block donated many items on Wednesday, Nov. 1, to the Community Closet at the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES William E. Busacker Complex. Herkimer BOCES VP-TECH Student Council members have been helping to take inventory and stock the Community Closet in collaboration with the Herkimer BOCES School to Careers program. From left: Kathy Glanovsky, from H&R Block; VP-TECH Student Council member Landon Davidson, a 12th grader from Frankfort-Schuyler; VP-TECH Student Council member Shawna King, a 10th grader from Herkimer; VP-TECH Student Council member Cooper Jordan, a 10th grader from Herkimer; VP-TECH Student Council member Cierra Tero-Gomez, a 12th grader from Herkimer; VP-TECH Student Council member Makenzie Boardman, a 12th grader from Central Valley; Jennifer Stanton, Herkimer BOCES assistant principal of technical education; and Meredith Bates-Smith, H&R Block senior vice president.
