Monticello Teachers Association
Above, members of the Monticello Teachers Association, with NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer Martin Messner, third from left, prepare for the union's second annual Tinsel Trot 5K. The event drew more than 200 participants — and raised more than $12,500 to benefit the MTA Scholarship Fund and the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless. MTA President John Maranzana said the event owes its success to many members, including Sheryl Manz, Tim and Allie Billias and Gary Silverman.
North Rockland Teachers Association
"Whenever a family is in need, our community responds to help in any way that we can," said North Rockland TA President Debra Brennan. "This is what teaching is all about!" Her local — 598 teachers and 76 teaching assistants — once again supported the community through numerous holiday activities. The local collected more than $500 worth of gift cards, as well as gloves, scarves and hats for the North Rockland Food Pantry and Kids Closet. Members also adopted families and raised money for local families displaced by an apartment building fire.
Mahopac Teachers Association
The Mahopac TA, a NYSUT Local Action Project local, raised thousands to support the community in ways large and small in 2016.
The local's annual kickball game raised $4,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital in honor of Ellen Clark, a member who died last year. At the middle school, several members organized "Muffin Mondays" and raised $2,600 for pediatric cancer research. MTA member Denise Hembury organized a Make-A-Wish basketball game that raised $20,000. The MTA awarded 16 students with field-trip scholarships totaling nearly $1,500; four seniors received $500 college scholarships.
"Our teachers are not just isolated players in the pursuit of rigorous academics, they are a vibrant and vital force within the Mahopac family," said union President Tom McMahon.
Share news about your local's union or community events at united@nysutmail.org; include "LIA" in the subject line.