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November 24, 2019
Issue No. 47
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West Edition
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Hilton students use podcast to drive American Heart Association fundraiser Hilton High School seniors Jack DiBitetto, Ana Rivera and Austin Holley are self-proclaimed geeks. In fact, Jack created his own podcast “Everything Geek” nearly two years ago and asked his friends Ana and Austin to co-host. “I figured people may be interested in what I have to say and that I have something of value to bring to the table,” he said. The students talk about everything from animation and comic books to movies and TV shows. “The podcast is something we all enjoy doing,” said Austin. “It’s a social thing and connects us.” Most recently, the students decided to use their podcast to promote a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. The decision was a personal one. “Last
The students live stream their podcast out of Jack’s basement.
summer, just before school started, I got a text from my friend Ethan asking me to pray for his dad,” remembered Jack. “I looked out my window and saw police and ambulance lights flashing.” Ethan’s dad, Phil DeGrandis, passed away from a cardiac event. “He wasn’t even 50 and gone so quickly,” said Jack. “We wanted to do something to help, not just sit by.” DeGrandis was not only the DiBitetto’s next door neighbor, but helped the students set up the equipment for the podcast in Jack’s basement and even gave them posters to hang behind their desk. “We are all good friends with Ethan and knew that we could reach a lot of people through our podcast,” said Austin. “So we created the fundraiser in his dad’s honor.” The podcast went live on Charity Livestream on November 9 at 5:30 p.m. and within three hours and 24 minutes the students raised over $1,000 through the charity portal Tiltafy. “Our parents and friends help spread the word through social media and even sent the link abroad,” said Ana. Jack is in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and is able to use the fundraiser as part of the 150-hour requirement for the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) class. After graduation, Jack is interested in heading to film school. Ana plans to study
Hilton High School seniors (l-r) Ana Rivera, Jack DiBitetto and Austin Holley raised over $1,000 for the American Heart Association through their podcast, Everything Geek. immigration and familial law. And Austin is headed to St. Bonaventure University to play lacrosse and study broadcast journalism. Viewers can subscribe to the Everything Geek Podcast on YouTube. Provided information and photos
National Wreaths Across America Day - “Everyone plays a part” December 14 event in Churchville; deadline for wreath sponsorship is November 28 Each year on National Wreaths Across America Day, millions of Americans - a third of whom are children - come together to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom. Until a few weeks ago, when joint applications filed by Harvey C. Noone Legion Post 954 and Girl Scout Troop 60487 were approved, there were no participating cemeteries in Monroe County. There are now two. One is the Creekside/St. Vincent’s Cemetery in the Village of Churchville and the other is the Riga Cemetery on Route 36 just south of the Village. Buried in these cemeteries are over 375 veterans. Each year, a new theme is chosen by the national organization to help local volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and outreach in our communities. This year, the theme is “Everyone plays a part.” In December 1992 in Harrington, Maine, wreath maker Morrill Worcester found himself with a surplus of 5,000 wreaths during the holiday season. Worcester saw the surplus as an opportunity to pay tribute to our country’s veterans and with the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. This annual tribute to our country’s veterans has continued ever since, touching the lives of millions of veterans’ families and volunteers and growing in scope through the years. In 2007, the Worcester family along with veterans and volunteers formed the non-profit organization Wreaths Across America to continue and expand their efforts at Arlington National Cemetery and to support those around the country who wished to do the same. The inspiration for this year’s theme was a recommendation made by ten-year-old “Mighty” Miles Worcester, the grandson of the founders of Wreaths Across America, Morrill and Karen Worcester. Last
May, while in Washington D.C. for an event, Miles saw a U.S. Service member in uniform at the hotel where he was staying. As he always does, Miles walked up to the gentleman, reached out to shake his hand and thanked him for his service. And his response was simple and impactful: “Thank you…everyone plays a part.” Miles went directly to his grandmother, WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester, to tell her that he believed this statement would be the perfect theme because, as he said, “those serving in the military are doing their part, but it is our part as Americans to remember and honor them, and that’s what Wreaths Across America does.” The millions of volunteers and supporters – from schoolchildren and educators, professional truck drivers, first responders, veterans, Gold Star and Blue Star families, to corporations and other nonprofits – devote so much of themselves to the mission to remember, honor, and teach in their own communities. Each of them play a part in helping to plan and participate in local events and fundraising activities, sponsor and transport wreaths, and raise awareness. When asked how he feels to know so many people across the country come together each December to remember, honor and teach, Miles said without hesitation, “It makes me feel proud to be an American.” With only about seven weeks between approval to participate and the December 2019 ceremony date, the coordinators reached out for help. In response, countless individuals, other community organizations, and local businesses have stepped forward to join this mission to honor all veterans, epitomizing this year’s theme – “Everyone plays a part.” In 2018, nearly 1.8 million veteran wreaths were placed on headstones at 1,640 participating cemeteries around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud.
This year, National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 14. On that day, at 12 noon, at the grave of Harvey C. Noone, who is buried in Creekside Cemetery, the ceremony will be held, followed by placing wreaths on the headstones of veterans buried in the Creekside/St. Vincent’s cemetery. Parking will be in the Church Lodge Parking Lot, with refreshments following in the Lodge. Wreaths will be placed later that day in Riga Cemetery. This is a free event open to all people. Each hand made, fresh, live wreath costs $15 to sponsor and is made in the United States with Maine balsam. To sponsor a wreath for a hero, or to learn more about Wreaths Across America, visit https:// wreathsacrossamerica.org/ny0303. In addition to the website, wreaths can be sponsored in person at Riga Library, Riga Town Hall, and Village of Churchville offices. The deadline for wreath sponsorship is November 28. For real time updates, go to https://www.facebook. com/WAAChurchvilleCreekside. Provided information