At the Wall Township Board of Education’s Dec. 16 meeting, Bob Leach, president of the Wall Township Education Association, thanked the Paracone Family Charitable Trust for a $25,000 grant that the association and district staff used to support roughly 150 students and families during the holidays. "By contributing $25,000 in grant funding, they have more than doubled their already remarkable commitment they shared with our students last year, reaching nearly a 150 students and their families," Leach said.

Leach credited the district wellness team, school counselors and the child study team with identifying recipients and ensuring resources reached families in need. Robin Perata, representing a family foundation effort, also thanked volunteers and district staff for helping deliver the aid and said the work was aimed at alleviating poverty and supporting students’ basic needs so they can succeed in class.

Superintendent Dr. Tracy Handerhan acknowledged the partnership between the WTEA and community philanthropic groups and thanked the Perricone/Paracone family and volunteers for their work. The district said the funds were distributed through coordinated efforts of counselors and campus staff; no individual student names or individual eligibility criteria were discussed at the meeting.

The donation and distribution were presented as an example of community partnership; the district and the WTEA said they plan to continue similar collaborative efforts.