Pelham Manor Trustee Tim Case, Pelham Education Foundation President Sarah McKee, Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen, Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ, and Pelham Education Foundation Board Members Heena Jain and Lisa Horten
Elementary school orchestra teacher (and PEF Advisory Board member) Marcia Bean and Colonial 4th grader Teddy Leonard demonstrate the use of PEF’s grant of ⅛ size bass instruments to all Pelham elementary school.
Pelham Education Foundation Hosts First-Ever Blue Ribbon Day Celebration
On Saturday, May 4, Pelham Education Foundation hosted its first Blue Ribbon Day community celebration at the Pelham Town Gazebo. Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen, Pelham Manor Trustee Tim Case and Superintendent of Pelham Public Schools Dr. Cheryl Champ were on-hand to celebrate Pelham Education Foundation’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Pelham public schools.
Mayor Mullen issued a proclamation declaring the first Saturday in May “Blue Ribbon Day” in the Village of Pelham in perpetuity, and Case and Champ recognized PEF’s significant contributions to all Pelham students.
“The PEF’s ability to fund grants is contingent upon the generous support of our donors, and our inaugural Blue Ribbon Day Community Celebration was a wonderful way to showcase how the money we raise directly impacts students across all Pelham schools, K-12,” said PEF President Sarah McKee.
The event took place after PEF’s board members spent the morning traversing Pelham, adorning the homes and businesses of donors with the organization’s signature blue ribbons. The celebration featured live entertainment from the Acapelicans, Chamber Choir, Sock ‘n Buskin, elementary school orchestra members, and DJ Ruben Rodriguez, who was a signature sponsor of Blue Ribbon Day. Attendees had the opportunity to visit multiple unique stations featuring grant displays, some with interactive activities for students.
PEF’s 2024 Business Sponsors include the following:
Signature Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Anna & Jack’s Treehouse; Ball Chain Manufacturing—Logotags; The Gallo Family; The Royce Family/J&S Mechanical, Inc.; Meridian Risk Management & Meridian Realty Consultants; MG Martins Auto Inc.; Sona Davidian, Compass; Rockwells Restaurant; DJ Ruben; Tri-State Elevator Co., Inc.
Royal Blue Sponsors: Sergios Ristorante; The Westchester Dent Company; Caffe Regatta
Noble Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Artistic Manner Flower Shop; Ballet Arts; Blue Dog Wines & Spirits; Danilee’s Helping Hands; Flour Power; Francella Property, LLC; La Gravinese Jewelers; Link Insurance; Marc Schaeffer/Brown Harris Stevens; Nature’s Cradle Nursery & Landscape Design; Parish of Christ the Redeemer; Pelham Children’s Center; Pelham Pizza; Premier Music Studio; Prisco Orthodontics; Sunshield Energy Control Systems; Tig & Peach; and Thrive Barre & Fitness.
“We hope this community celebration is the beginning of a new tradition in Pelham that continues to grow for many years to come,” McKee added.
Pelham Education Foundation grants have secured innovative programs and technology, provided supplemental resources and equipment, supported faculty training, helped fund facilities and championed the FPA, a designated fund for the performing arts.
Examples of 2023-24 grants include the purchase of new 1/8 sized bass instruments for all four elementary schools (as shown above), a paint pouring activity allowing PMHS Foundations of Learning students to work with general education students and develop confidence, creativity, and social skills, and Kids for Positive Change, a multimedia, cross-curricular science program that empowers 4th and 5th grade students to take action on environmental problems.
While the official campaign has come to a close, it’s never too late to donate—if you haven’t yet, visit pelhameducationfoundation.net to make your contribution today.