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Local boosters and foundations report grants, membership drives and volunteer needs to Somers board
Summary
Representatives of the Somers Education Foundation, STARS performing‑arts booster, Somers Science Research Foundation, Team Tuskers mentoring and the Somers Tusker Booster Club briefed the board on recent grants, program sizes and volunteer needs, including a newly funded $85,000 Primrose pre‑K playground grant and mentoring program shortages.
Several community nonprofit groups gave brief reports to the board on programs, fundraising and volunteer needs.
Somers Education Foundation: Trustee and SEF representative Jeremy Newman said the foundation awarded an $85,000 grant to Primrose Elementary to build a new dedicated pre‑K playground and that the award pushed SEF past $2,000,000 in lifetime giving. Newman invited the community to buy personalized bricks for the playground and to upcoming events, including an Oct. 14 trivia night. “We are a non profit organization who have been providing grants and scholarships across all the schools, faculty, and students within our district for over 30 years,” Newman said.
STARS (Somers Tuskers Arts Rising Stars): President Christine Zimbelman said the booster club supports performing‑arts programming with grants, storage and competition support, scholarship awards and community events. Zimbelman said 800 students in grades 3–12 participate in performing‑arts ensembles and that STARS’ membership goal this year is to grow from about 70 members.
Somers Science Research Foundation: Wendy Eagleton, president, said the district’s three‑year science research elective is a dual‑enrollment program with SUNY Albany and has about 70 students across grade levels; the foundation supports mentoring, funding for research and regional competitions. Eagleton said the program will hold a kickoff Oct. 16 for new and returning students.
Team Tuskers mentoring: Coordinator Phyllis Morrison said the one‑to‑one mentoring program (grades 3–8) currently serves about eight students and faces a volunteer shortage; Morrison said there are three screened mentors without students and several applicants in screening and asked for community volunteers to commit one hour per week during the school year.
Somers Tusker Booster Club: President Nicole Dwyer described scholarships and grants the boosters provide, including about $7,000 in annual senior scholarships and a $5,000 gift last year to purchase shot clocks for lacrosse. Dwyer said the boosters are expanding outreach, creating sport liaisons for each team and planning a formal website.
Why it matters: the reports outline where community money and volunteers are supporting student activities and where the district continues to need volunteers, particularly for mentoring programs.
Next steps: representatives asked community members to join and volunteer; SEF and boosters provided website links and event dates for community participation.
