PATTERSON

Judy Callahan (center) takes part in the 50-50 raffle last week at the Plaza at Clover Lake. Eric Gross Community outreach plays an important role for the residents of the Plaza at Clover Lake. The assisted-living community located on Fair Street in Patterson is home to more than 100 senior citizens who earlier this year decided to form a community action committee. A decision was reached to conduct a monthly drive that would benefit the Putnam Community Action Program (CAP), which assists the less fortunate throughout the county.

The Plaza at Clover Lake residents’ drive focused on hygienic products needed by everyone, but not being provided by governmental reimbursement programs.

The seniors collected paper towels, toilet tissue, male hygiene needs, large sized diapers, and dental hygiene products. Last week the residents also assisted CAP with its Thanksgiving basket program by conducting a 50-50 raffle, with half of the proceeds earmarked for the Community Action Program’s purchase of food gift cards for the nearly 500 holiday baskets that will be distributed next week.

CAP Executive Director Judy Callahan commended the residents for their “community spirit by assisting our agency. In these difficult economic times people realize that a need exists.”

Callahan also praised members of the Plaza CAP Committee: Veronica O’Day, Rina Wirth, June Berger, Ann Tartaglia, Kathryn Devan, Ruth Pell, Raili Lazarus, and Susan Bey.

—Eric Gross