TEP Program Raising Money and Donations for Francis House

For the third year in a row, students and staff from the OCM BOCES TEP (Transitional Education Program) have been working hard to make the holidays a little merrier for residents of Syracuse’s Francis House, a supportive home for people with terminal illness. Under the direction of School Social Worker Meghan Gould and TEP Teacher Gina Morabito, students have been brainstorming ways to expand their charitable efforts. In addition to collecting food and household items as was done in previous years, the students this year also made blankets for Francis House residents and held a pizza sale to raise money. The students were fortunate enough to receive pizza donations from several local restaurants including Pizza Hut, Wegmans, Mark’s Pizzeria and Bagozzi’s Pizza. More than $200 was raised by the pizza sale and that money will be used to purchase Wegman’s gift cards for residents. On December 17, three TEP students, one Stellata student and several TEP and Stellata staff members will personally deliver the gifts to Francis House.

Pictured: OCM BOCES' Transitional Education Program student Kayla Barclay dishes a slice of pizza for BOCES’ Adult Education HVAC student Kyle Cook.