November 2004
Contact: Dorothy Wills-Raftery
(845) 255-1400 xt. 1209

Ulster BOCES Pink Ribbon Candy Canes Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Awareness
Ulster BOCES Early Childhood Education students have been busy raising breast cancer awareness by selling edible pink ribbons made from peppermint candy canes created by Michael’s Candy Corner in Kingston. The candies sell for just $2 each, with all proceeds benefiting the Fern Feldman Anolick Breast Center at Benedictine Hospital in Kingston.

This community service project is part of the class’ enrollment in the local chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc. (FCCLA). The FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through family and consumer sciences education. According to the FCCLA, involvement in the nonprofit organization offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop life skills—planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication—all skills needed in both the home and workplace. The FCCLA promotes community involvement through a variety of exciting programs that builds bridges between school, family, and community.

According to Michelle Friedel, home and careers teacher at Ulster BOCES, this is the first year of having an FCCLA chapter at the Career & Technical Center and there are currently 17 members who joined from the Early Childhood Education class. One of the goals of the FCCLA is getting students involved in exciting community service projects. The idea for the candy cane fundraiser came about as a result of the Early Childhood Education class brainstorming different ideas that kept with the FCCLA’s vision. One student, whose mother is a breast cancer patient, suggested raising funds for breast cancer awareness. The class agreed and discussed different types of candy fundraisers, and decided to approach a local candy store.

“Michael’s Candy Corner was immediately receptive and since they are well-known in the area for their delicious candy canes, they created a special pink ribbon candy cane just for us,” says Friedel.

The Ulster BOCES students have been very successful in the sale of the candies. In a gesture of support and understanding, they have even sent one of the pink ribbon candy canes, along with a written heartfelt letter, to Elizabeth Edwards (the wife of former presidential running mate Senator John Edwards) who recently announced she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“This project is a wonderful collaborative effort between us and the community,” says Friedel. “Our ultimate goal is to raise $1,000 to assist in raising breast cancer awareness and present Benedictine Hospital with a check of the proceeds for the Breast Center.”

Anyone interested in purchasing a pink ribbon candy cane, please contact Michelle Friedel at the Child Care Center at (845) 331-6680.