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From the Executive Director
The evening air has a chill and the September sky is beginning to take on its deep autumn blue. This month has always been a harbinger of newness for me more than any New Year's day, perhaps because of the start of school.
As we enter our 35th year of providing assistance to the community, ACLAMO's September Newsletter is dedicated to service. Among these stories are the contribution of bank employees who gather free backpacks and school supplies for the needy, a letter from a decorated war hero to one of our students, and the idealism and work of a young man whose life was tragically cut short. Join us in thanking those whose life of service and honor are an example to all of us.
We are pleased to announce that due to an unexpected blessing, we will be re-starting our education programs next month. Please know that we still need your help to sustain this and other programs. Make your tax-deductible gift to ACLAMO. Thank you!
-Juan I. Guerra
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ACLAMO's Gear for Grades Campaign
For the third year in a row, ACLAMO Family Centers has partnered with Citizens Bank in its Gear for Grades Campaign. Over 400 backpacks filled with pencils, pens, notebooks, rulers, glue sticks, safety scissors, crayons and colored pencils were distributed at ACLAMO to needy children in the community thanks to the generosity of Citizens Bank.
"There are just so many kids in the area that are in need...its just a little thing that we can do to make a kid have a better day on a first day", said Henri Moor, Senior Vice President and Director of Public Affairs.
"These school supplies help children feel excited and ready for their new school year", added Lourdes Hernandez, Office Manager at ACLAMO, "As a child I can remember how important it was to start the year with new supplies."
Thanks to the generous collection at the Citizens Bank branches, hundreds of children will go to school better prepared. We are grateful for their support.
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Medal of Honor
Last April, as part of a nationwide day of service, ACLAMO's after-school students wrote thank you cards to the 84 living recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Established by President Abraham Lincoln, the Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President in the name of Congress on members of the US Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." Because of the dangers involved, the majority of the recipients receive this award posthumously, but a select few living heroes are chosen for this honor.
Eight-year-old student, Oscar felt compelled to write to Col. Walter J. Marm after learning of his bravery during the Vietnam War. On November 14, 1965 while serving in the 7th Calvary Regiment during the Battle of Ia Drang, Marm single-handedly attacked an enemy position, and suffered severe wounds in the process. He survived his wounds and on December 19, 1966, was subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor. Col. Marm reached the rank of colonel before retiring from the Army in 1995.
Last week in a letter forwarded to ACLAMO for Oscar, Colonal Marm's warm reply read, "Thank you, Oscar for the very nice letter. Continue to do your best in school. In America you can be anything you want to be. God bless. -Col. Marm."
On behalf of Oscar and all of us at ACLAMO, we thank Col. Marm for his encouraging words and his example of courage and service.
Seen here is Colonel Walter J. Marm wearing the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony
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Citizenship Day A diverse group of 12 local residents from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala gathered at ACLAMO Family Centers on September 19th to attend a citizenship training in for Norristown's Citizenship Day. This workshop was done in conjunction with attorney Sondra Miller-Wein, Esq of Lansdale, Rebecca Hufstader, Program Assistant of the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC), the Puentes Latino colla-borative, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania, HIAS Pennsylvania, and St. Patrick's Catholic Church. "We are pleased to co-sponsor this event. ACLAMO is fortunate to be situated in the heart of the Latino community, which provides easy access to such important workshops", said Juan Guerra, ACLAMO Executive Director. The evening's discussion provided foreign born, legal U.S. residents with information on how to qualify, apply for and obtain their U.S. Citizenship. Ms. Hufstader and attorney Miller-Wein discussed requirements such as age, time spent in country, fees, and testing in a question and answer format. "PICC is so happy for the opportunity to work with the community here in Norristown. We hope to help as many qualified individuals become U.S. citizens at next month's citizenship day held at St. Patrick's Church," said Rebecca Hufstader. For more information, or to register for the event, please call 215 832-3482.
Lisa Rodriguez receives information from attorney Miller-Wein at the Citizenship Day training at ACLAMO
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Volunteer Profile: Brian McMenamin
A few months ago, we began noticing donations arriving at ACLAMO in memory of a young man named Brian McMenamin. Most in the office hadn't met Brian but a few remembered him from years past. Back in the summers of 1992 and 1993 while still in high school, Brian came to ACLAMO to help us in our Summer Bridge program.
We have always said that our summer enrichment program could never be as effective without the help of student volunteers, who take a part of their summer vacation and spend it helping others in their community. Brian left his mark at ACLAMO and continued his service to other communities in need during his college years in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Sadly, Brian passed away last February. Still, his legacy continues as reflected in his family's efforts to raise funds for some of Brian's many charities. We are grateful to Brian, his family and friends. As a small token of our gratitude at ACLAMO, there reads a plaque honoring Brian's commitment to those who are less fortunate.
Brian Michael McMenamin, 1985-2011
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