October 2023 Newsletter
 Northfield Bank Foundation has awarded us a grant to cover a school year’s worth of weekend backpacks for PS78 for the 2023-2024 school year. This program will resume November 1st. |
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 Seniors Movement will be hosting our annual holiday Dessert Buffet at Canterbury House, tentatively scheduled for December 12th. We will invite ACT Cares and hopefully some people from New Lane Housing and/or AARPs. |
 Our pajama and book give aways to underserved students is scheduled for November 17th. We will be hosting these events with our Partner schools. We have fulfilled several requests from lower income schools for candy for their Halloween events. |
 Click here to donate directly to Value A Veteran Our Value A Veteran initiative is underway and we have been able to help several veterans in need. Requests are taken under consideration and once approved by our sub-committee are fulfilled. This month we are working on several small asks and have also connected with a veteran who has written about his experience and is getting ready to send the book to print. |
 Announcing a new Giving Circle program where we will be providing volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in getting notified about when and where volunteers are needed please email Kathy Barzal at KathySIGC@gmail.com |
 We received an incredible gift this month when SIBOR YPN announced that the proceeds from their summer casino night event amounted to $5000. This money has been earmarked for our Weekend Food Backpack Program. Pictured below are Lori Ficarra, who generously introduced the SIGC to SIBOR YPN (Young Professionals Network), Nick Scalici, President SIBOR YPN and our founder, Evelyn Kormanik. Also in the photo are Apple and Praline both are in foster care with Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue and will be up for adoption soon. |
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 Our Guest Speakers were Bob and Linda Ollis of the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation. Their mission is supporting veterans as they return to civilian life. They are also great supporters of the Fort Wadsworth Food and Essentials Closet which is our food pantry for active military and veterans. Our November guest speaker will be Laura Jean Watters from The Staten Island Foundation. The mission of The Staten Island Foundation is to improve the quality of life on Staten Island, particularly for the least advantaged, with a focus on improving education, health, community services, and the arts. Strategies to accomplish the mission include financial support; providing leadership for the community; collaboration with grantees, funders, and other entities; and building the capacity of local organizations to better fulfill their missions. |
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 Our November Bring Along will be new toys for all ages. We will be collecting for our longtime partners at Toys For Tots. Please bring a new toy for girls or boys of any age to the meeting. |
Last chance to get tickets! Our Quilt Raffle winner will be chosen at the November meeting. |
Please add our meeting dates to your 2024 calendar. |
 To make a donation please use the following: Venmo: @StatenIslandGivingCircle PayPal:SIGivingCircle@aol.com Checks may be mailed to: Staten Island Giving CirclePO Box 120301 Staten Island NY 10312 |
 We get inquiries for teens looking to score service hours to satisfy school requirements. We have been recommending the students organize a collection of food (cereal, granola bars, fruit cups) to be used for our Food Insecurity initiatives. Students can create flyers, host the collection and deliver to the recipient for their service credit. Please contact us for a list of items needed. |
 Michele Yacovello 917.733.7937 MicheleSIGC@gmail.com Evelyn Kormanik H: 718.980.4862 C: 646.240.7486 sigivingcircle@aol.com |