Big money came to Cobleskill-Richmondville’s class of 2021 Monday afternoon.
The Cobleskill-Richmondville Education Foundation gave $5,000, the Sterling Insurance Foundation gave $1,000, and teachers, staff and donors gave another $400.
Also, Christopher and Robin Stauble donated $100, and the Sterling Foundation matched that amount.
Senior class officers accepted the checks on behalf of their classmates.
The Foundation gave its $5,000 as scholarships because that’s what its by-laws read, but seniors can use it for whatever they want, said CREF President Gayle Westervelt, who presented the $5,000 check.
“Signs, banners, whatever they need,” Ms. Westervelt said. “Because of the pandemic, they missed their senior year, and they can’t get it back.”
And also because of the pandemic, seniors couldn’t fundraise, she added.
Josh McCann of Sterling Insurance presented the Sterling Foundation’s check, agreeing with Ms. Westervelt that seniors could use the money for whatever they want.
“Sterling’s been an ardent supporter of CREF and our students,” Ms. Westervelt said.
Teachers and staff members donating were Tara Coppolo, Robin Hahn, Michael Massivci, Alyssa Tusang Lillich, Lori VanDeValk, Lydia Van Evera and Ryan Wilson.
The donations will also go to the Support Our Seniors drive, which provides special weekly gifts to seniors through the year.
Superintendent Carl Mummenthey thanked the donors, noting that the seniors “lived through the pandemic every single day.”
And to the seniors, Mr. Mummenthey said: “We know you made tremendous sacrifices, and your community loves you.”