By Brenda Maguire
Correspondent
NEW BRITAIN — The guidance department at Louis P. Slade Middle School, in addition to assisting in picking the children who benefit from the Warm the Children campaign, have also contributed to the effort with a donation of $150.
Twice a month the faculty has a dress-down day where they can dress in jeans and casual clothing. As part of the day, faculty members are asked to make a donation that will go to a local charity.
“We pick a charity that’s close to home,” said Lumnao Taricani, a paraprofessional in the guidance office.
The dress-down day is run by the school’s social committee made up of Taricani, Jim Clerkin, who’s a guidance counselor, and Richard Ticotsky, a school social worker.
“We as a staff want to do anything we can to help our students and their families,” said Ticotsky, adding, “We’re so glad to help if it benefits our students.”
The donation made by Slade Middle School will benefit at least three children.
Clerkin noted that many of the 700 students at the middle school do not have the resources to purchase their own jackets, hats and gloves. “It’s important that we help them,” he said.
The Warm the Children campaign is continuing to inch its way closer to the goal of $40,000, with a current total of $31,084.
The money raised will be used to purchase winter clothing for children in New Britain from low-income families. Volunteers will take the children shopping for items such as jackets, gloves, hats and scarves.
“It’s fantastic that the teachers are doing this for the community,” said Mark Bernacki, coordinator of Warm the Children. “It’s wonderful that they have their dress-down days.”
To help Warm the Children reach its goal, donations can be sent to Warm the Children, 1 Court St., New Britain, CT 06051.
Brenda Pantano 