A Season for Kindness
Submitted by Shannon Regan
All Warren Township Schools have a history of participating in charitable activities to promote the wellness of others. The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) of Angelo L. Tomaso (ALT) School recently collected approximately 500 pounds of food and paper goods for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County.
With help from school staff members, ALT families, and the PTO, this donation will help feed many local families who may be financially suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Melissa Morano, ALT PTO member, is thrilled by the unbelievable success of the food collection. “As a new member of the PTO, with my first of three kids in kindergarten, I’m excited to support the growth of this wonderful organization. The ALT families make my job facilitating events like the food drive and the Adopt a Family program a smashing success. The kids, in addition to all school books and chrome books, carried in cans and sometimes even bags of food. The generosity shown was humbling.”
Over the following weeks, the ALT PTO led the charge on their next humanitarian endeavor, “Adopt A Family.” In recent years this event led to the collection of toys and sweatshirts for children in need. This year, the PTO put a new spin on the event calling it “Hope for the Holidays.”
The group is asking ALT families and the surrounding community to build on their recent generosity by selecting an item to purchase through a virtual shopping experience shopping link. Items for purchase include household basic necessities, hygiene products, adult and children’s clothing, toys, and games. The Hearts of Watchung, a local charity, has identified local families to whom the donations will be given.
The shopping link and a list of future events can be found on the ALT PTO website, altpto.com. All ALT PTO members including Morano, Carina Bellmann, PTO President, and the entire executive board are happy to carry on the tradition of helping local families in need and bringing good cheer to the Warren Township community.
Photos by Melissa Morano
