RTA gives lesson in charity!

When teaching is in your blood, it matters not that you are retired, you just keep teaching those great lessons. For example, 1+ 1 = 2. Or in the case of the local New York State Retired Teachers Association, $1,052. + $1,052 = $2,104 for the Yates Community Endowment’s Disaster Relief Fund.Lynn Fitch, outgoing Co-President and Don Beach, outgoing Treasurer, were thrilled when they started to see checks coming into their organization to help with Penn Yan flood relief efforts. “At first, we weren’t quite sure what the checks were for, and then they told us they wanted to help with what they could donate to flood relief here” said Beach of the donations from Retired Teacher’s Associations in Stuben, Seneca and Orleans County. “We even received a donation from the Central Western Zone which covers a 10 county area.”“As soon as we were able to put this together, I called Joy Benson to make sure the Endowment was still offering to match any funds donated. They were and it doubled our donation. We are just so happy to be able to do this.” Benson, Regional Coordinator at the Rochester Area Community Foundation, where the Yates Community Endowment Fund resides, is spending most of her time here these days. “Penn Yan is blessed to have people and organizations who are continuing to help those affected by the flood. And the Endowment loves pulling these resources together to make the donations even more powerful.”Although Beach retired 12 years ago, he still finds himself in the classroom on a regular basis substitute teaching in Penn Yan. His preference? “Sixth and seventh grade…. they’re great. I get to have fun teaching the kids and then go home with an empty briefcase….and I get to live here. It’s the best of all worlds”.As the outgoing Treasurer of the New York State Retired Teacher’s Association’s local chapter, we’re fairly certain he sees the wisdom of donating to the Yates Community Endowment, especially while the funds are being matched.If you are interested in making a contribution, you can mail a check payable to Yates Community Endowment Disaster Relief Fund to P.O. Box 311, Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527. For more information, visit www.racf.org/HelpYates or contact Regional Coordinator Joy Benson at (585) 341-4412 or [email protected].