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Gathering Place Webster: a place for adults and kids to volunteer together

29 Jan

Earlier this month I posted a blog spotlighting the many organizations in Webster which offer ways for people to give back to their community through volunteering.

I’ve been surprised by how many people commented that they’re looking for something they could do as a family. So I thought I’d highlight a few organizations which really stood out to me as offering volunteer opportunities for both young and old.

The first of those is Gathering Place Webster. Operating out of the community room at the United Church of Christ on Klem Rd., Gathering Place Webster offers a wide variety of easy and accessible community service opportunities, like filling diaper bags for moms in need, making bag lunches for the chronically homeless, and to making “COZY bags” for kids and teens at the homeless shelter. What’s really neat about all these projects, however, is that not only can very young children get involved, but each one is specifically designed so that children of all ages can participate.

Gathering Place director Wendy Lesko explained, “We started this so that young families could get their kids started volunteering early … to show families with children how they can do community service from diapers all the way up; start teaching them when they’re young.”

Even though the organization is located within the United Church of Christ, it’s not officially affiliated with the church, and receives no funding from the UCC. It’s a completely separate 501c3 which rents space from the church.

Basically, Lesko explained, “the church made room for the Gathering Place to exist.”

We call it Gathering Place so that we could try to have nonreligious programming that would be comfortable for non-church people to come and participate in. … We don’t want people to think they can’t do community service because they don’t belong to a church.

Families interested in finding out more Webster are invited to attend the group’s next Community Service Sampler on Saturday Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. at UCC Webster, 570 Klem Rd. Participants can choose among a dozen different projects spread out on large tables set up around the church’s community room. Each table will include the project description, the agency it serves, the agency’s contact information, and step-by-step instructions on how to assemble the project. You can choose which project you’d like to work on, or stop by all the tables to sample the many different ways you can serve your community.

Here’s a quick look at all of the projects:

  • Bag Lunch Outreach: make 80 bag lunches to feed Rochester’s chronically homeless
  • Purse Project: fill purses with care items for women in need
  • Snack Bags for Baber: fill snack bags for the guests of the Baber hot lunch program
  • Buddy Bags: fill grocery bags with kid-friendly groceries
  • You for Youth Cozy Bags: fill drawstring bags with items for unhomed kids and teens (like socks, stuffed animals, blankets) to help them create a cozy space
  • You for Youth Backpacks: fill backpacks with care items for teens like a journal, Chapstick, lotion, socks
  • Care Kits: fill bags with personal hygiene items for people in need
  • Care Kits for Women: fill bags with personal hygiene items for women in need
  • Diaper Bag Project: fill diaper bags with baby items for women in need
  • Birthday Kits: create birthday kits with items to help struggling families celebrate
  • Warm Fuzzy Blanket program: make fleece blankets to be given to kids/teens having a hard time
  • Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha: wrap birthday gifts to be distributed to kids via the RCSD

The event has plenty of easy ways for very young children to help out, too, like coloring lunch bags or making personalized notes to include in each kit. And if the kids get tired, they can go off in the corner of the room and play while moms and dads continue to work.

“It’s a social thing as well,” Lesko said. “Moms and dads are chatting and connecting with each other in community, while their kids are safely doing a community service project just steps away from them. It’s a dream come true.”

What a great way to get kids involved in our community in a fun way, and get them used to the idea that giving back and helping others is not only the right thing to do, but just feels good. Teaching responsibility and compassion today will go a long way towards raising responsible and compassionate adults. Not to mention we’re helping those in our community who need help the most.

Basically it’s a win/win for everybody.

The Community Service Sampler is this Saturday Feb. 3, beginning at 10 a.m. at United Church of Christ Webster, 570 Klem Rd. To read out more about Gathering Place Webster, visit their website here or Facebook page here.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/30/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

26 Jan

The secondary schools’ lineup of spring musicals begins in just a few weeks when the Willink Drama Club presents Finding Nemo JR. on Friday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway.

An adaptation of the beloved 2003 movie, Finding Nemo JR. tells the story of Marlin (Jeremiah Fischer), an anxious and over-protective clownfish who lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo (Harper Johnson), who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters Dory (Peyton Short), Crush (Rylie Biroscak), and the supportive Tank Gang (Jeremiah Clark, Ella Boneberg, Benedict Sweeney, Leah Schinaman, Kayla Vanderlinden, and Sierra Strelick), Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.

Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo JR. showcases a large, energetic cast and crew of more than 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and free for children ages 3 and younger. Tickets can be purchased online here but should also be available at the door.

Challenger Miracle Field invites the community to a Valentines Dance on Friday and Saturday Feb. 9 and 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Webster Country Club, 440 Salt Rd.

Participants ages 20 and under are invited to attend Friday night, and those 21 and older can come on Saturday. Both nights will feature dinner, a photo booth, and a DJ providing the dance music.

Cost is $10 for 1 to 2 people, $25 for a group of three or more. Click here to register. Registrations are due by Feb. 2.

Beyond Cuts Salon on North Ave. in the Village of Webster is working with RocMaidan to send relief supplies to the Ukraine.

The salon is now collecting any size bottles of Ibuprofin (Advil) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol), and cold medicines and bandages of any size, which will be added to the medical backpacks which RocMaidan regularly ships to the Ukraine for soldier and civilian casualties.

Please drop your items off at the salon, 33 North Ave., during normal operating hours.

The annual Robynpalooza Golf Tourney has been scheduled for June 14, 2024 at the Morgan’s Crossing Golf Club in Scottsville.

This tournament is in its 13th year of having fun and raising money for local charities. Last year’s event raised $18,000, which benefited the Genesee Land Trust, Webster Public Library, Human Kindness and Webster Rotary charities. Business owners are encouraged to support this year’s Robynpalooza by purchasing a sponsorship, which range from $100 to $2500.

For more details, visit www.websterrotaryny.org or call 585-678-1378.

The next general meeting and luncheon for the Women’s Club of Webster will be held on Thursday Feb. 15 at Proietti’s Restaurant, 980 Ridge Rd. Cherie Wood, Webster’s coordinator for Wreaths Across America Webster, will be this month’s speaker.

The event begins with a social mix-and-mingle at 11:15 a.m., followed by a brief meeting at noon and lunch at 12:30 p.m. Then Cherie will speak about Wreaths Across America and other projects supporting Blue Star families and Gold Star mothers.

Lunch will feature a buffet featuring Proietti’s famous Chicken French, stuffed shells, zucchini marinara, salad, and a cannoli.  The cost is $24. Send your check made out to WCW by February 8 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Questions? Phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

New members are always welcome.

The CDS Wolf Foundation invites community members to join a fun afternoon of bowling at the 17th annual Strikes for Abilities Bowling Party, scheduled for Sunday Feb. 25 at Bowlero Webster, 2400 Empire Blvd.

Registration costs just $250 for 5-person teams, and includes two hours of unlimited bowling, bowling shoes, pizza and unlimited soft drinks, prizes, a cash bar and raffles.

To learn more and sign up, click here.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/26/2024)

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Community truck parade will surprise 88-year old on her birthday, and you’re invited

20 Jan

Once again, the Webster community has come together in a big way to help out a neighbor, this time making sure a sweet 88-year old lady gets a birthday gift she’ll never forget.

This heartwarming story began when Bonnie Smorol posed a simple plea on the Webster Neighbors Facebook page:

This is a VERY random post and I’m not crazy, but here goes. My elderly mother lives in Webster and every night she watches for the white (maybe) flatbed truck with “tons of lights on it” which heads north on Holt usually around 7:30 p.m. She calls it “her truck.” I’ve been hearing about “her truck” for years now.

Her 88th birthday is the end of this month and if I could get the driver to even just flash the lights as they drive by on her birthday she would be overjoyed!

The response from the Webster community was immediate and overwhelming. In the days following that post, it was “liked” more than 900 times, shared more than 400 times and garnered 272 comments, every single one of them cheering for the possibility of finding that white-ish truck. But even beyond that, one trucking company after another chimed in. Before long, that one-truck search had blossomed into a multi-truck spectacle.

Rachael Davey, a tow truck driver for Ricci and Sons Towing, has taken the lead in organizing what has now become dozens of participants in what she’s calling a “Parade of Lights.” She told me that at least four other trucking companies will be taking part — AP Enterprises, Barth Towing, Glen and Sons Towing and Aarango Towing — most of whom will be bringing two or three or more trucks each. Several others have expressed interest, including Roze Property Care, Glen & Sons Towing, Greasy Monkey Towing and Todd’s Towing. So it’s going to be a BIG group. And best of all, they’ll all be escorted by Webster Police cars with lights flashing.

In total, 20 or more professional trucking company vehicles (that we know of) will be parading by Ruth’s window the evening of her birthday, Friday Jan. 26. My bet is that many, many more than 20 vehicles will show up, giving Ruth what will undoubtedly be a very memorable 88th birthday present.

Unfortunately, so far no one’s been able to identify who’s driving that white flat-bed truck that passes by Ruth’s apartment every evening and prompted this outpouring of love. But almost certainly, all of the other trucks — and cars and SUVs and pickups — will more than make up for it.

As for Bonnie, she’s been blown away by the response. She wrote,

I am completely overwhelmed by the heartfelt response to my search for that one particular truck that has made such an impression on my mom, especially during COVID when she was quarantined in her small apartment that faced Holt Rd. I don’t think people realize they might be making a difference in someone’s life and they never even know it! 

My faith in humanity has been restored. It seems you only hear about the bad things that are happening in the world but it’s amazing to know there are so many kind, thoughtful, caring people living among us who are willing to make a stranger happy! They even want to know what size sweatshirt she wears! 

I knew the people of Webster were awesome but I had no idea it was such a tight and giving community. … It’s beyond heartwarming to know there are so many people who truly just want to reach out in kindness. My heart has grown two sizes.

JOIN THE PARTY! Community participation is more than welcome and encouraged!!

If you’d like to participate in the Parade of Lights with your car or truck, plan to meet up with the rest of the drivers in the Holt Rd. Wegmans parking lot at 6:30 p.m. on Friday Jan. 26. Everyone will line up and leave from there, parading north along Holt Rd. past Ruth’s apartment in the Legends at North Ponds. (P.S. at least one television station said they were going to try to be there, too.)

Let’s show everyone what a loving community Webster is.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/20/2024)

 

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Looking ahead to two great family events

19 Jan

Hip deep in the cold and snow of winter as we are now, sometimes it’s hard to poke our heads up and imagine that spring is not far off. Perhaps this thought will bring some cheer: Community Arts Day is only 12 weeks away!

This very family-friendly festival, which is marking its 47th year, showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and involves the entire community in a day to celebrate the arts. It was created as a collaborative effort to raise money to encourage and enhance fine arts programs throughout the district. 

This is always one of my favorite events of the whole year, because I see so many friends and neighbors performing or wandering the halls of Schroeder, and reconnect with lots of local organizations. I highly recommend you put it on your calendars now.

Details are still coming together, so if you’re a vendor or want to provide some entertainment, best keep on top of the plans by “liking” their Facebook page.

Looking even farther ahead, I recently got an email about this year’s Webster Garlic Fest, scheduled for Sept. 7 and 8 at the Webster Recreation Center.

This event seems to grow bigger and better every year. Reports are that last year it drew 3,000 people and had more than 100 vendors.

That means, if you’re a vendor and want to get on board (especially if you want a spot inside the Rec Center gymnasium), now is the time. The call has gone out for vendor/crafter/food truck registrations. Cost is $150 for a 10′ x 10′ indoor or outdoor space.

Click here to apply.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/19/2024)

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Mark your calendars for the WCSD spring musicals

15 Jan

If you love live theater, then you’ll be excited to know that all four of our secondary schools are preparing right now to stage plays this spring. Here are the details:

The fun begins on February 2 and 3 when the Willink Drama Club presents Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, Jr. This is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie, featuring lots of new music and all the characters you’ve come to love, including Nemo and his father Marlin, Dory, Crush the laid-back sea turtle, and the Tank Gang.

Show times are Friday Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Stay tuned for ticket information.

The following week, Feb. 8 through 10, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., will bring one of my favorite movies to the stage, Catch Me if You Can. The musical drama follows the true story of con artist Frank Abagnale, and the plot largely follows the 2002 film of the same name.

It should be very interesting to see how this translates to a stage play. But I know for certain that Schroeder will do a great job with it. More to come about show times and tickets, on the website and Facebook page.

Spry Drama Club will present Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition on March 8 and 9 at Spry Middle School, 119 South Ave.

In this one-hour adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home. SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. 

Stay tuned for more information.

Finally, Webster Thomas High School caps off the season with their production of DreamWorks’ Shrek the Musical from March 21 to 23 at the school, 800 Five Mile Line Rd.

You know the story; it’s pretty much the greatest fairy tale ever known, with all your favorite characters and songs. I don’t know the show times or ticket information about this one, either, so check back here or the district website for times and ticket information as performance dates near.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 1/15/2024)

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WCSD staff to play the Harlem Wizards

12 Jan

Just a quick notice today about a community event coming up this Sunday Jan. 14 at Webster Schroeder High School. It’s a basketball game — of sorts — between our One Webster School District staff vs. the Harlem Wizards.

I say “of sorts,” because a competition with the Wizards is as much a performance as an actual basketball game. But don’t get me wrong; the Wizards are without a doubt extremely skilled athletes. Matter of fact, over the years, more than 25 ex-NBA players have been on the roster. So those who know and appreciate basketball will be treated to slick dribbling, impressive teamwork, alley-oops and crazy slams. Non-hoop fans will enjoy the rest of the show, which, according to the Wizards website, is “funny, theatrical, exciting and spectacular,” causing the gym to “reverberate with ooh and aahs, laughter and enthusiasm.”

The game will be played on Sunday Jan. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. It begins at 1 p.m. with doors opening at noon. Advance-sale tickets are $12 for students and $15 for general admission. At the door they’ll be $15/$18. (Children 3 and under are free.)

Reserved seating tickets are also available for $22, “courtside plus” seats for $40 and “courtside player” seats — which include a jersey and opportunity play in halftime games) are $115.

Click here to buy advance sale tickets.

This event is brought to you by the Webster Central PTSA, which collaborates with district administrators to bring fun, educational and enriching programs, events, and assemblies to Webster students, faculty, parents, and community members throughout the school year.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 1/12/2024)

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Fun stuff at the library

6 Jan

I give up.

There are so many neat things happening at the Webster Public Library ALL THE TIME that I’ve decided it’s too difficult staying on top of all of them. The best way to do that, if you’d really like to stay informed, is to frequent the Webster Public Library website, and “like” their Facebook page. They post on both regularly.

However, having said that, a few things in their emails always strike me as particularly interesting.

  • Topping off the list, the library has gone FINE FREE. The library’s Board of Trustees voted to eliminate daily late fines on all materials effective January 1, 2024. (They’ll still bill for the cost of lost and/or damaged items.) Additionally, there will no longer be a .50 cent charge for placing items on hold. If you still have unused WPL Hold Punch Cards, please speak to a staff member at the Check Out Desk to learn about our hold card redemption plan.
  • On January 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m., the next installment of “Tending to Life”, a series co-sponsored by the Webster Public Library and the Webster Comfort Care Home, will take place. Information on the Comfort Care house and what it provides for patients and families will be provided. All are welcome. Registration is requested.
  • The community table this month will have a Calendar Swap. Have a surplus of supplies and looking to share? Drop off your gently used, unwanted items or pick up something new.
  • Looking for more information about area preschools? On Monday, Jan. 8 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., the library will host a Webster Area Preschools Open House. Representatives from preschools and nursery schools in the Webster area will be available to chat with parents and provide information about their programs. So far, the participants include Little Learners, Rochester Christian School, Webster Central Schools pre-K, Woodside Nursery School, Positive Preschool, St. Rita’s and St. Joseph’s. Registration is not required.
  • The next Webster Business Spotlight shines on Chef Mike, the Pastaio of M.O. Pasta, as he demonstrates techniques and skills on how to make fresh pasta. Learn all about Chef Mike’s culinary journey and pro tips on how to make the best pasta at home! It takes place Monday Jan. 29 from 1 to 2 p.m. and registration is requested. Mike, by the way, is one of my favorite people. Here’s the blog I wrote when he opened up his East Main St. shop last April.
  • You like jigsaw puzzles? Need some new ones? Check out the National Puzzle Day Jigsaw Exchange, all day Monday Jan. 29. Bring your gently used puzzles to exchange for something new to you. Bring in as many as you want There are no guarantees that all the pieces are there, so swap at your own risk.
  • The Monday afternoon Sit & Stitch program is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Twenty years of fellowship, sharing and teaching folks to knit, crochet and do other fiber arts. Join them for refreshments and reminiscing, on Monday Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. No registration is necessary, and you can even bring your needles and yarn and stay a while.

Remember, these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the great events and programs at your very own Webster Public Library. Remember, you can find out more at the Webster Public Library website, and Facebook page.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the rear of Webster Plaza.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 1/6/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

5 Jan

With the beginning of the new year, my email box is beginning to fill up again. Here’s the latest from my mailbag:

Woodside Nursery School will host a Prospective Family Open House on Thursday January 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the school, located at the back of the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. Meet the teachers, tour the classrooms and find out more.

Woodside will also be represented at the Webster Public Library’s Preschool Open House event on Jan. 8 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., in case you can’t make it to the school.

If you’re one of my many readers who were interested in finding out where to volunteer in Webster, here’s an event just for you.

The Webster Community Chest Volunteer Appreciation Event will take place on Tuesday Jan. 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Webster Public Library community room, 980 Ridge Rd.

If you’ve volunteered at one of their events or for the Meal Center this year, or perhaps haven’t volunteered yet but have been wanting to start, this event is for you. Stop by, have some refreshments, meet the faces of the Webster Community Chest and learn more about your perfect volunteer opportunity with the organization. Please let them know you’ll be coming at webcommchest@gmail.com. (Or if you forget, just stop by anyway.)

The Women’s Club of Webster’s January meeting will be a pizza party at Proietti’s Restaurant, 980 Ridge Rd., on Thursday Jan. 18.

Festivities begin at 11:15 with a social mix-and-mingle, followed by a brief meeting at noon and lunch at 12:30 p.m. This month’s speaker will be First Vice-President Jean Loughridge, who will talk about the club and the charities it supports. Enjoy pizza, salad, a cannoli and camaraderie for $18. New members are always WELCOME!

Send your check made out to WCW by January 11 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Questions? Phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce has two events coming up this month, and business owners are all welcome, whether you’re a member of the Chamber or not.

On Thursday Jan. 11, the next Webster Chamber Eat Drink & Connect will be hosted by Chamber member Wireless Zone, 2157 Penfield Road (Wegmans Plaza).

Tour the new store, enjoy refreshments, Hear the story of more than doubling foot traffic and have fun working toward being a game winner. Chamber members and visitors are encouraged to attend. Please register here.

Then, coming up on Friday Jan. 26 is the next Monthly Breakfast Program meeting. Network with an many as 90 business and organizational leaders during the monthly Webster Chamber breakfasts. In addition to networking before and during the breakfast, an informative program is always planned, along with a time to “pass-the-mic” so everyone has an opportunity to be visible. Visitors and members are welcome.

These meetings are always held at 7 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center. Please register here.

Also from the Chamber, news from the last breakfast meeting, when Marina Auto Group was recognized as Business of the Month.

Located on Ridge Road in Webster, Marina Auto Group president John B. Gabriele has led his business growth to become a significant employer in Webster, currently employing 85 people.  

Over the years, Gabriele has added to the auto industry manufacturers they represent: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mitsubishi, and Ram. Early in his dealership career, he was located in West Irondequoit as Weller Motors. In May of 2001 the State acquired their property for the construction of the O’Rourke Bridge. At that point, Gabriele made the decision to locate his business to Webster. Twenty two years later, Marina Auto is fully entwined within our Webster community.

One member business is chosen every month to be honored as Business of the Month, chosen by a volunteer committee comprised of Chamber members. The award is presented at the monthly breakfast meeting.

Pictured above: (L-R) Marina Sales Manager Tony Gabriele, Jr., Webster Chamber President & CEO Barry Howard, Marina President John B. Gabriele, General Manager John Gabriele Jr., and Office Manager Vittorio Romantini.

Finally, some notes from the Webster Central School District:

Willink Lego Robotics Team Wins Engineering Excellence Award

Congratulations to Willink Middle School’s Lego robotics team for taking first place for Engineering Excellence at the First Lego League qualifier at McQuaid Jesuit High School, held Dec. 16.

The Engineering Excellence Award celebrates a team with an efficiently designed robot, an innovative project solution that effectively addresses the season’s challenge, and CORE values evident in all they do. At the competition, Titans Traigh Schroeder, Sai Abhiram Pathaneni, Kyle Hughes, Artem Leskiv, and Andrii Kravtsiv presented an innovation project, explained their robot design, and ran the robot game three times.

This is the first time since 2019 that Willink Middle School has competed in the First Lego League qualifier. The Titans put in more than 35 hours after school to prepare for the event where they faced off against 16 teams from the Rochester area.

Community Input Sought on School District Budget

Webster CSD welcomes feedback from all district community members when planning a budget for a school district that serves 8,100 students and 1,600+ staff members. Knowing the feedback of the school district community will help the district develop a budget that reflects community input for its students. 

As some may remember, Webster CSD uses ThoughtExchange as one of its many communication tools. Thought Exchange is a collaborative, online discussion platform that is used to gain insights and feedback from the community to make decisions that impact everyone, including a proposed budget for next year. Participation is voluntary and thoughts are shared but identities are kept confidential. Participants may view and objectively rate others’ feedback. 

The community is asked to please consider participating in the district’s latest ThoughtExchange by going online to www.websterschools.org and clicking on the link for the news story “Community Input Sought on District Budget” to answer the question: What are the most important things to consider as we begin to plan for our upcoming budget? This ThoughtExchange closes on Wednesday, January 31, so please visit the website soon.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 1/5/2024)

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Where can I volunteer in Webster?

3 Jan

Thank you to everyone who responded so enthusiastically to my recent Facebook post about my plans to research and blog about volunteer opportunities in Webster. I got several suggestions (most of which were already on my list), and a few ideas about some great organizations to blog about in the future.

But I was especially pleased by the large number of people who said they were looking forward to seeing the list. I’ve always known that Webster is a giving community, but the response to that one post has been heartwarming.

I give 100% credit for this idea to Tom Traub, who himself volunteers for the Friends of Webster Trails and other initiatives. In his email, he wrote,

The strength of a community is not only what  businesses we see, but all of the volunteering going on behind the scenes that is mostly invisible except for a few really involved … the pay will be terrible, but the benefits will be priceless to those who find their passion or niche.

I couldn’t agree more.

So, what follows is what I’ve pulled together so far about the many ways you and your family can volunteer in Webster. I’ve chosen at this point NOT to include service organizations like the Kiwanis or American Legion which do great things for the community, but generally require membership. Plus, while all of these organizations will gladly accept monetary donations to support their causes, I’ve tried to focus on hand-on volunteering opportunities. Click through to the website/Facebook hyperlink to find out more.

This is NOT an exhaustive list. If you see that I’ve missed something, please let me know.

Bellas Bumbas
1170 Ridge Rd. #208

Bella’s Bumbas, run by Webster residents Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, is dedicated to building miniature wheelchairs for children with a wide variety of mobility issues. To date, they’ve shipped 2,650 chairs to children in 66 countries, often adapting the chairs for each child’s individual needs, and charging the parents only for shipping.

How you can help: Volunteers help pack chairs; write “kids cards” (every child gets a handwritten card); help clean, vacuum, and dust the workshop once a week; transport chairs within the U.S. and internationally and stateside; and other tasks.

FoodWEBster

The goals of FoodWEBster are to promote food security, minimize food waste, support small scale food production, increase self-reliance, and help protect the local environment by nourishing a healthy ecosystem.

How you can help: share educational resources, facilitate peer-to-peer food gifting and mutual aid, and promoting and organizing pro-environmental conversations and events.

Friends of Webster Trails (FWT)
1350 Chiyoda Dr.

FWT focuses on building and maintaining recreational trails and protecting the natural character of the Town’s open-space lands through sensible management, education, and low-impact access. Assists in planning, maintaining, and promoting recreational trails in the Town of Webster.

How you can help: FWT is always looking for trail workers, especially for their monthly trail clearing and building work parties. New board members are also welcome.

Gathering Place Webster

Offers a wide range of community programs with “that serve the community with “a unique twist.” It exists in part to serve as an on-ramp to volunteering for those who aren’t sure where to start.

How you can help: Some recent Gathering Place Webster projects have included a pet food pantry, outdoor pantries, community garden outreach programs, filling grocery bags, packing Easter baskets, stuffing back to school backpacks, bag lunch outreach for the chronically homeless, free community Sunday suppers and sorting toy donations. Check the website for more.

Heritage Christian Stables
1103 Salt Rd.

Offers equine-assisted horseback riding and non-riding horsemanship lessons, inclusive to people of all abilities, designed to enrich a person’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being, while also building confidence and self-esteem.

How you can help: The continued success of the therapeutic horsemanship program relies heavily on volunteers, which help to run lessons year-round. Riders may require as many as three people to assist them – one “side walker” on each side of the horse and one “horse leader” responsible for guiding the equine. Experience is not required. All necessary training is provided.

Home Start Hope

Home Start Hope provides brand new, essential household items to women and their children transitioning to independent living from emergency shelters in Rochester, NY.

How you can help: Stock their shelves by shopping their Target registry or by donating gift cards; get involved as a volunteer or board member; organize a donation drive; attend, sponsor or donate items for their fundraisers.

Lap Robes for Veterans

Cut and sew lap robes, which are then distributed at Honor Flights, area hospice homes, hospitals, and veterans outreach centers as a small gesture of warmth and comfort for the men and women who have served our country. Coordinated by two Webster women, the group meets once a week in Irondequoit to cut fabric and sew it around the edges. Then a “thank you for your service” label is hand-sewn in the corner.

How you can help: Anyone who loves to sew is invited to join the group. Click the link above to contact the organizers for more information.

Lasagna Love
https://lasagnalove.org/

Neighbors helping neighbors by preparing and delivering home-cooked lasagnas for families who are struggling due to lost income, lost childcare or other life difficulties. There’s no cost to the families.

How you can help: Join the cooking team and make some lasagna!

Making Spirits Bright

A referral-based adopt-a-family organization providing gifts every holiday season for families in need. The organization works with area school counselors and social workers to identify families that need assistance, get wish lists from each of the family members and begin collecting items.

How you can help: “Adopt” an individual, or adopt a whole family, and fill a wish list. Volunteer wrappers are also needed once all of the gifts are collected. Bookmark the website and stay tuned to my blog next Christmas season for your next opportunities.

Maplewood Nursing Home
100 Daniel Dr.

Long-term care nursing facility in the Village of Webster.

How you can help: Volunteers are needed to transport residents to meals and activities, spend time visiting, assist with games and events, help on outings, bring in fun crafts, run our book club, offer cooking demonstrations (with tastings, of course), share their musical talents and more!

Meals on Wheels
2180 Empire Blvd.

Meal delivery service to support our senior neighbors to extend their independence and health.

How you can help: Become a driver! Your visits provide more then just meals; they provide socialization and safety checks. Become a regular delivery person, adopt a route with your club or business, or become a seasonal sub. Kitchen help is also needed.

Never Say Never Stables
906 Maple Dr.

The Never Say Never Foundation is a not-for-profit equine-assisted program that provides life-enriching, horse related experiences to children and teens living with long term illness, special needs and/or other serious life challenges.

How you can help: Volunteers are trained to act as support staff, helping children be safe in and around the barn and animal enclosures. Volunteers monitor activity and offer encouragement to the participants. They may care for the horses and animals and take on many chores around the barn.

Rochester Challenger Miracle Field
Ridge Park, 1000 Ridge Rd. (P.O. Box 826)

Provides people with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier-free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.

How you can help:

Volunteer positions are available for all of Miracle Field’s sport leagues for anyone who can commit to coming every week as coaches, or even on a fill-in basis. No experience is necessary in any sport, just the desire to help players take turns and have fun.

Miracle Field also hosts special events for the special needs community such as a Halloween Party, Holiday Kickball with Santa, and a Valentine’s Dance. Volunteers for those events can help with planning, decorating, and generally facilitating the event for players and families. Volunteers with experience in fundraising, grant writing, creating programming, managing social media, and other areas are also needed.

Webster Health Education Network (WHEN)
119 South Ave.

WHEN Works with the Webster School District, Town of Webster and community resources to promote healthy, substance-free behaviors and lifestyles in the Webster community by supporting drug education and awareness initiatives.

How you can help: WHEN could use some project-specific volunteers to help Webster kids grow up strong and substance free. You don’t have to be a member to lend a hand; help design a youth coalition, join the information table team, or join the welcome wagon. Community members are always encouraged to join the coalition. Meetings are held monthly.

Webster Arboretum
1700 Schlegel Rd.

The goal of the Webster Arboretum Association, Inc. is to create and maintain a park-like setting dedicated to quiet reflection and passive recreation through the beauty found within the sights, smells and sounds of nature through educational, conservational and recreational opportunities for all ages.

How you can help: Weeding, mulching, landscaping, general maintenance and park improvement projects.

Webster Assoc. of Senior Program Services (WSPS)
1350 Chiyoda Dr.

A group of volunteers who provide transportation for retirees and disabled residents who live within the Webster School District.

How you can help: Drive residents to and from medical and dental appointments, other health-related trips such as pharmacies, as well as banks, barbers, hairdressers and tax preparation services.

Webster Business Improvement District (BID)

Organization of mostly Village of Webster businesses responsible for creating a vibrant, clean and safe business district. Its mission is to “help create a positive and welcoming business atmosphere within our community to enhance the community’s overall perception of the Village and to help foster economic stability and growth.”

How you can help: Community members are welcome at the monthly meetings. Express your opinions, ideas for future events, put in your two cents about how things are being run. You can also sign up to help out with community events like Family Games Night, Trick or Treat Trail, and the Webster Jazz Fest.

Webster Comfort Care Home
700 Holt Rd.

Provides end-of-life comfort care, symptom control and pain management for residents while being a source of respite care for the families.

How you can help: Opportunities include resident care volunteer, house cleaner (2 times a month), social media liaison, maintenance person, party planner (especially if you love fundraising), newsletter designer (Canava expert). Hands-on training is provided for all volunteers.

Webster Community Chest
1000 Ridge Rd.

Provides information and referrals, emergency financial assistance, food assistance, summer camp scholarships, high school senior awards for community service, and financial aid to organizations whose programs benefit Webster residents.

How you can help: Lots of ways! Coordinate a food collection, help stuff envelopes for the annual campaign, join a committee (like marketing/PR or fundraising), help with meal center distribution, become a board member, help plan the next Greater Rochester Marshmallow Peep Show in March, and more.

Need more ideas? Visit the Community Chest’s Volunteer Appreciation night on Tuesday Jan. 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Webster Public Library.

Webster Food Pantries

Webster has four free food pantries, located at Immanuel Lutheran Church (West Main), St. Martin Lutheran Church (Bay Rd.), Webster Baptist Church (South Ave.) and the United Church of Christ (Klem Rd.). The concept is to take what you need, leave what you can.

How you can help: You can drop off non-perishable food items any time at any of the pantries. Look for them in the church parking lots.

Webster Girl Scouts

Girl Scouting aims to empower girls through the development of five essential skills: goal setting, money management, people skills, decision making, and business ethics.

How you can help: Become a troop leader/chaperone, cookie volunteer, service unit volunteer, camp/seasonal volunteer or more.

Webster Public Library
980 Ridge Rd.

Enhances our community’s intellectual and creative pursuits by providing expertise and an eclectic collection of books, periodicals, digital media, and so. much. more.

How you can help: The Friends of the Public Library offers many volunteer opportunities for adults. The all-volunteer organization promotes and supports library, services, facilities and needs through community events, programs, the lobby bookstore and a semi-annual book sale. Additional opportunities for teens include assisting with children’s/teen Programs, dressing as a character for a children’s program, dusting and cleaning tables, cleaning books, clerical support (cutting scrap paper, sharpening pencils etc.), folding brochures, and more.

Webster Museum and Historical Society
18 Lapham Park

Dedicated to educating and introducing Webster’s heritage to our community through research, collection preservation, educational programs and exhibits.

How you can help: Volunteers are needed in many areas, including as greeters and docents, helping with publicity and other writing tasks, setting up exhibits, managing computer files, and others.

Webster NY Hope
1450 Ridge Rd.

Serves the needs of residents in the 14580 zip code, helping to provide food, clothing, household goods, furniture and financial assistance to those in need.

How you can help: Volunteers help restock the food pantry, sort clothes, and meet with clients.

Webster Volunteer Fire Dept./Northeast Joint Fire District
35 South Ave.

Provides fire, rescue and EMS services to the Village of Webster, East Webster and Northeast Penfield.

How you can help: The invitation to become a member and join the volunteer firefighting team is always open. Other opportunities are also available; send along a Facebook message or find an application on the website for more information.

West Webster Fire Department
1051 Gravel Road

Provides fire, rescue and EMS services to the residents of West Webster and northwest Penfield.

How you can help: From Cpt. Tom Woodward: We are always looking to add people who are passionate about serving their community. Send us a message on Facebook or find an application on our website to find more information.

Wreaths Across America

The mission of Wreaths Across America is to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in the country. The simple act of placing a wreath helps assure that these veterans are never forgotten.

How you can help: The next wreaths Across America Day is Dec. 14, 2024. Community members are encouraged to attend the ceremony that day at Webster Union Cemetery and help lay wreaths in one of three (or more) Webster cemeteries. In the meantime, wreath sponsors are needed to make sure we have enough wreaths for every veteran in those ceremonies. Click on the link to find out how you can sponsor a wreath.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 1/3/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

27 Dec

Hi again everybody!

I hope you had a chance to sit back and relax a bit this holiday. You might have noticed that I’ve been doing that, not posting for several days. In part that’s because there isn’t much going on. But I do have a few reminders about things happening as this year turns into next.

Community members who struggle with vision issues — macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, or others — are invited to attend the January meeting of The Visionaries, being hosted next month at the Webster Public Library.

The Visionaries is a support group for adults with low-to-no vision. Members of this support group share their interests and opportunities with others, encouraging those with visual impairment to get the most out of their lives.

The group will meet on Wednesday, January 3 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Webster Public Library Community Room, 980 Ridge Road. This month’s topic will be “Living With Low Vision.”    

There’s no need to register, just come by to join the meeting!

The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters (WSPS) is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on January 5, 2024 at the Webster Masonic Temple, 30 Orchard Street.

Dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m., and includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread, drink and dessert. Cost is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 12 and under. You can eat in or take out.

All proceeds go to supporting the WSPS, a local non-profit providing rides for Webster School District Seniors to their medical appointments.

From the Webster Schools:

Families of Young Children Asked to Take Census

Webster CSD is surveying the community to forecast student enrollment for the foreseeable future.

Anyone in the district who has children residing in their household ages birth to 5 years old is asked to
complete the brief online census. Families who don’t have access to a computer can participate by calling Student Registration at (585) 216-0029.

The annual young child census is available now on the district website and will be available through Jan. 6, 2024.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 12/27/2023)

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