Faculty and Staff Work Together in the Spirit of Giving

In celebration of the upcoming holiday season, and as a demonstration of our Ranney community spirit, faculty, staff and administration gathered on November 13 in RSPA Panther Hall to hear Gwendolyn O. Love, executive director of Lunch Break, Red Bank, speak about how this charitable organization provides for those in our community who have difficultly providing necessities for themselves and their families. With a staff of only three and nearly 400 volunteers, Lunch Break serves nutritious meals to dozens of men, women and children in need in addition to providing a food pantry and clothing. During her visit to Ranney, Mrs. Love also accepted, on behalf of Lunch Break, nearly 15 large bins of food donated by the staff and faculty as part of the school’s annual Gift of Giving Program. The food was packed up by the staff and faculty in record time and taken to Lunch Break where, according to Mrs. Love it would be put to immediate use.

Referring to Mrs. Love’s comment that at this time of year, the demand for food and clothing often surpasses the supplies on hand, Dr. Lawrence Sykoff, Head of School, noted, “Our school-wide effort to donate food items to Lunch Break will provide them with the necessary inventory of basic supplies that are so needed this particular holiday season.”

During the Thanksgiving celebration, faculty and staff were also treated to special presentations by Lower Forensics students, Karl Brand, Jake Card, Sophia Jackman, Matthew Kumar, Tessa Payer, Elizabeth Rennie, Avneet Singh, Katie Vates, and Katrina Triolo; Middle School representatives, Sasha Taylor and Kendall Torpey; and Upper School Student Council President, Aaron Absatz, who all gave impressive and memorable performances about the things for which they are most grateful – including being part of the Ranney community!

In closing, Dr. Sykoff shared his thoughts about this season of giving and included a musical reminiscence as a way of acknowledging the many blessings in our lives. “”There is no place like home’ – where the warmth of family and friends provides so much hope and possibility, especially this holiday season. There are few gifts that can match the quality of these,” concluded Dr. Sykoff.

For additional information on all Ranney School news, please contact the Communications Department at communications@ranneyschool.org.