FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Frances Chamberlain (860) 868-7377 ext. 221

September 1, 1998

Washington, CT. … Students at The Glenholme School, Washington, prepared steaming pans of homemade lasagna, garlic bread, salad and fresh strawberries for six special visitors from Candlewood Valley Health Center of New Milford recently. The boys, all of whom live in Whiteholme, Glenholme's newest therapeutic cottage, have been part of a contingency of students who make weekly visits to Candlewood to visit with residents and help them with special activities.

Gus DeCortin, Ella Conkey, John Hodgson, Jim Rooney, Rob Roache and Kathy Teater traveled from Candlewood with Dana Pickert, Director, and Carolyn DeRocco, Recreation Director for the evening. For some of the residents it was the first time out of the home in nearly two years; others have attended Whiteholme dinners in the past and were obviously delighted to visit with students they knew and with whom they have developed bonds of friendship, while sharing a home-cooked supper.

The students' visits to the nursing home, and the trips by residents to campus for Whiteholme dinners, and to The Commons for ice cream socials, are all part of Glenholme's active Community Service Program. Under the guidance of Coordinators Bonnie Goulet and Lisa Williams, virtually every one of the school's 95 plus students has been involved in a variety of projects that benefit the greater Washington community. Students recently hosted the canteen for the town's Red Cross Blood Drive. They have planted a "caring Garden," with produce donated to area food banks. The Teens Who Care Foundation, an outgrowth of the Student Leadership Council, has been actively funding other student service projects in Litchfield County. Teens who Care recently gave grants to the Shepaug Valley Middle High School for a garden project, to the Boy Scouts for landscaping at the Washington Community Housing Trust, and they also helped outfit two children through the United Way's Back to School Campaign. In the past, students have done community beautification projects, participated in walkathons, organized events, and painted shelters among many other activities.

The Candlewood Valley Dinner was a special event for the residents, according to Carolyn DeRocco. Although she plans regular outings, the residents enjoy visiting with the students and being in their cottage for dinner. Whiteholme has an open floor plan featuring a full kitchen, dining area and living roam, all handicapped accessible, and the guests were able to visit with their hosts there, as well as on the balcony over the horse pastures.

Glenholme is a therapeutic boarding school with a full academic curriculum for children grades K through 12. All students are involved in the Community Service Program, as well as a variety of other extracurricular activities. For more information about the school or its special programs, call (860) 868-7377.