The National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 293 recently dissolved the Tommy Frontino Memorial Fund and contributed the balance of $4,793.40 to CARE for Children.  The donation was designated to support CARE’s therapeutic recreation program, which aligns with the original intent of the fund, to help local children access recreational opportunities.  The gift makes it possible for CARE to continue to offer adaptive camps, clinics, and recreation activities for children with disabilities.  The contribution will be placed in CARE’s endowment fund, which provides funding each year for free programs for children of all abilities.

Just a few of CARE’s therapeutic recreation programs include the Trailblazers adaptive sports team, bowling, the Holiday Valley adaptive ski clinic, basketball mini-camp, adaptive golf at Pine Acres, Summer Day Camp and virtual recreation programs this school year.  The recreation programs are staffed by CARE therapists and serve as an extension of traditional school-based therapy allowing children to practice skills in a community-based, inclusive environment while having fun.

Pictured outside the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center from left to right are John Calcagno, Tina Martin, executive director at CARE, and Rick Cottillion.  Retired postal workers, Calcagno and Cottillion both served as past presidents of the local branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers and were instrumental in creating the fund in memory of their friend Thomas M. “Tommy” Frontino.