Yorktown and Cortlandt region

A big fundraiser in Croton was held in honor of a late employee:

Croton-Harmon School District recently hosted its second annual “Perez-A-Palooza,” a benefit variety show consisting of various musical and dance performances and comedy acts performed by the district’s faculty and staff members. Performances included scenes from “Rock of Ages” and parodies of the Village People, as well as vintage “Sonny and Cher” and “Saturday Night Live” skits.

The first Perez-A-Palooza was held in January 2012 to pay tribute to Fran Perez, a beloved member of the Croton-Harmon district who worked at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School as an aide for many years before passing away from cancer. In its first year, the show raised thousands of dollars for the Fran Perez Memorial Scholarship, which provided monies for Croton-Harmon children to attend after-school programs at CET Elementary School. This is the second year the fundraiser brought faculty, staff and school community members together, this time to raise funds for the Croton Caring Committee, bringing in a total of $8,255 for the organization. CET music teacher and Perez-A-Palooza musical director Marlena Peters recently presented a check to the committee’s executive director, Anne V. Kennedy.

The Croton Caring Committee is a nonprofit organization that provides social services to the residents of Croton-on-Hudson. This unique volunteer-supported group provides medical transportation and home meal delivery to those in need, as well as the hosting of luncheons and breakfasts that encourage social interaction. In addition, the committee helps to ensure residents receive needed assistance from village services, local organizations and government agencies, along with the support necessary to remain in their homes and live healthy, happy and productive lives.

The Croton-Harmon School District is still collecting proceeds for the Croton Caring Committee through the sale of the Perez-A-Palooza DVD and continually accepts donations for the Fran Perez Memorial Scholarship, used for the CET after-school program. For more information on how to purchase a DVD or make a contribution toward the scholarship fund, log onto the CET website at http://www.cet.croton-harmonschools.org to download the Perez-A–Palooza DVD order and donation form. Donations for the Fran Perez Memorial Scholarship should be made payable to the “Fran Perez Memorial Scholarship” and sent to either CET (8 Gerstein Street Croton-on-Hudson, NY  10520) or the Croton-Harmon district offices (10 Gerstein St.). For questions, please call (914) 271-5184×3212.