Lead / Create / Contribute
235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724  /  732.542.4777

More Stories

List of 10 news stories.

Ranney Raises $45,000+ for Holiday Express

In what has become a time-honored winter tradition at Ranney School, the community once again teamed up with the nonprofit organization known as Holiday Express during its third annual concert in RSPA Panther Hall on the evening of Thursday, December 8, 2011. Combined with this year’s donation of $12,000, the school has given more than $45,000 to Holiday Express since 2009 — donating 100 percent of ticket sales to help those in need during the holiday season and throughout the year.
In what has become a time-honored winter tradition at Ranney School, the community once again teamed up with the nonprofit organization known as Holiday Express during its third annual concert in RSPA Panther Hall on the evening of Thursday, December 8, 2011. Combined with this year’s donation of $12,000, the school has given more than $45,000 to Holiday Express since 2009 — donating 100 percent of ticket sales to help those in need during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Founded by restaurateur Tim McLoone, Holiday Express is an organization comprised of 1,300 volunteers and 80 or more professional musicians who travel across the Tri-State area delivering music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to adults and children who are physically and mentally disabled, living with AIDS or homeless. Now in its 19th season, Holiday Express will travel to more than 50 events between mid-November and Christmas Eve Day.

Thursday evening marked the group’s 29th show of the season and offered joint performances to such songs as Higher and Higher and Nobody Ought to be Alone on Christmas along with Ranney’s Upper School Chorus on vocals and very own Head of School Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D. on guitar. Aside from imparting a check worth $12,000 to Holiday Express — presented to Mr. McLoone by Dr. Sykoff and Ranney School Parents’ Association President Mimi Keenan — Dr. Sykoff also offered Mr. McLoone a plaque recognizing his dedication to fulfilling the mission of Holiday Express. “Thank you for all that you do in the spirit of human kindness,” said Dr. Sykoff. “This partnership remains a blessing.”
 
In continuing its partnership with Holiday Express this year, Ranney’s pledge to the organization began November 12 as several students and their families took one of four trips to the Tinton Falls warehouse, assembling “gift bags” to be given to the various organizations, schools, and nursing homes that Holiday Express will visit. “Gift bags” distributed by Holiday Express are completed by hundreds of volunteer warehouse “elves” every year. Beginning in October, these “elves” work extremely hard to assure that Holiday Express can provide approximately 15,000 packages stuffed with such items as body wash, deodorant, ponchos, wool hats and toothbrushes each year.

Aside from collecting the above-mentioned items in designated bins throughout the school, Ranney hosted various events and competitions for other charities this holiday season as well. For instance, the Middle School’s $10 winter dance admittance fee was donated to the K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital. The Middle School community service club, “Making a Difference,” also donated DVDs to the Children’s Hospital earlier this month. Meanwhile, every Middle School homeroom worked with Lunch Break’s “Adopt-a-family” program this December, shopping for less fortunate children within Monmouth County. Prior to Thanksgiving, each division teamed up with Lunch Break and donated thousands of items for the Red Bank organization’s Thanksgiving Food Drive as well. Other organizations that collaborate with Ranney both during the holiday season and throughout the year are Toys for Tots, the Monmouth County SPCA and several more local hospitals.
 
“This remarkable level of collegiality and camaraderie is what defines the finest of schools,” said Dr. Sykoff.
 
Whether hosting a holiday concert or donating items and money to those in need, Ranney School will continue its longstanding tradition of supporting the community throughout the year.
Back

Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.