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Students lead ‘Panthers with Purpose’ volunteer day; foundation and PTSA note recent grants and events
Summary
Rhinebeck students launched Panthers with Purpose, sending more than 100 upper‑class volunteers to nine community sites on April 16; the Reinach School Foundation provided grant support and the PTSA reported recent fundraising success.
A student‑led initiative called Panthers with Purpose mobilized more than 100 Rhinebeck juniors and seniors on April 16 to volunteer across nine community organizations, student leaders told the Board of Education.
"This kind of started when I was doing work for Children's Hope Chest," senior Dana Prudian said, describing how the project grew from student interest and a desire to expand peer‑leadership opportunities. Student leaders said peer leadership members ranked three organizations they cared about, were matched by availability, and then took responsibility for contacting partner sites and running the volunteer shifts.
Teacher Gracie Mackin and student organizers said activities ranged from playing bingo with memory care residents to invasive species removal and a marshlands cleanup in which students collected 27 pounds of trash. Organizers credited a grant from the Reinach/N/R/S Foundation (RNSF) for funding event T‑shirts designed by Daniel Golden and said many partner organizations have already agreed to participate again next year.
Jen Sousa of the Reinach School Foundation told the board the foundation has funded 23 grants in the district this year, including support for Panthers with Purpose and a student‑directed theater troupe by junior Dahlia Menzel; she also promoted an RNSF fundraising event scheduled May 18 at 25 North in Mamaroneck. A PTSA video from President Elizabeth Gillespie recapped recent PTSA efforts, including a Pasta Night that sold more than 200 tickets and raised nearly $3,000 and a nearly‑new clothing sale that raised over $5,000.
The superintendent and board members publicly thanked students and staff for the community service effort and encouraged continued partnerships between student groups and local organizations.
