Correctional Facility employees give to Medina students for holidays

Provided photo – Pictured include from left: Clifford Wise Middle School Vice Principal Chris Hughes, Corrections Officer Kenny Gold, Dean of Students Eileen Regan, Social Worker Elaine Ryan, Counselor Kelly Linnan, Guidance Counselor Lindsay Fassel, Corrections Officer Matt Lamar, NYSCOPBA Business Agent Dave Tessmer, NYSCOPBA Regional Vice President Joe Miano and NYSCOPBA Business Agent Al Mothershed.

Press Release
Medina Central School

MEDINA – Santa arrived early to the Medina Central School District to make the holidays a wonderful time for many families in the district.

For the past three years, employees from the Orleans Correctional Facility have looked to adopt a family from the area for the holidays. When Corrections Officer Matt Lamar reached out to some counselors at the school district he was saddened to hear there were so many needy families, it was hard for them to just pick one to single out for their generosity.

“The Western New York NYSCOPBA (New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc.) adopts five families each year,” Lamar said.

Guidance Counselor Elaine Ryan says the staff at the district usually takes up a collection of clothes, toys and money for their Angel Tree, to make the holidays a little brighter for some of their families, but they were about $500 short of being able to take care of all of them.

“We had more less fortunate children than we usually have,” Ryan said. “There are a lot of families that are struggling right now.”

When Lamar shared the news with the NYSCOPBA Regional Vice President Joe Miano, he approved enough money to make sure that the district had everything that it needed.

Mrs. Ryan said the district is very grateful to NYSCOPBA representatives and what they are doing for their students.

“Our kids are going to have a better Christmas and that is what we all care about,” she said. “We are so pleased that they helped us out with this. They are wonderful.”