Students are enjoying lunch on six new cafeteria tables that were purchased using gifts from several individuals, the Parent-Teacher Fellowship, and a local church. The first two tables were received in time for the start of the school year in September and four additional tables were installed in late February.
Several of the donors gathered in the Multi-Purpose Room on March 4 to examine the new tables. Pictured in the photo seated at one of the new tables are, from left: PTF President Terry Vogel; PTF Board members Polly Ellison and Amanda Costello; Services Coordinator and alumni parent Anne Block; and Pastor Don Waltermyer of Hope Community Church.
“We are very grateful for the donations we received over this school year that have enabled us to purchase these new cafeteria tables,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We saw significant growth in our enrollment this year and we needed additional seating for our students.” Oblen said the new tables, made by National Public Seating, cost $1,200 each in the fall and increased to $1,400 each this winter.
PTF President Terry Vogel said the PTF donated $2,000 toward the purchase of the tables from this year’s fundraisers, including the Philly Pretzel Mondays, PTF Popcorn Wednesdays, and the sale of ACS SpiritWear. “We want to thank our school families for supporting these fundraisers because the funds are given back to the school to purchase necessary equipment and classroom support for our teachers,” Vogel said.
Block made her donation in a creative way — asking family and friends to donate to ACS on the occasion of her 60th birthday. She then designated those gifts for the purchase of a table. Hope Community Church meets at ACS on Sunday mornings and Pastor Don said the church wanted to bless ACS with a gift to support its important ministry with the youth in the community.
Oblen said she anticipates a need to add at least two new cafeteria tables for the coming school year as the school’s enrollment continues to grow. Anyone interested in making a gift for a cafeteria table should contact Development and Communication Director Carole Karabashian at ckarabashian@acseht.org.