Greater Bridgeport Retired Teachers' Association

Shoebox Project

Support the Shoebox Project

Since 2009, the GBRTA has participated in Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, a charity headed by Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s oldest son. The Shoebox Project provides gifts to needy children in more than 100 countries around the world, including the United States.

Participants fill an ordinary shoebox with small toys and personal objects for children. Some gift suggestions are school supplies, small toys, hygiene items and sundry items like socks, hair clips, flashlights, and chewing gum. No warrelated, perishable, liquid, or breakable items , please! Boxes are labeled with the gender and age (2-5,5-9,10-14) of the child.

Don’t have a shoebox? GBRTA has a supply of boxes and labels that will be available at the October 5th meeting. Social Services chair Ronnie Hendrick will be at the November 9th meeting to collect the shoeboxes and accept monetary contributions to de-fray shipping costs .

President's Letter

From the President’s Podium

I am indebted to my father (and my mother) for living, but to my teacher for living well. – Alexander the Great”

Well, where are we with the budget mess? Although the State still does not have a budget in place, at this point in time, it seems that our 50% income tax reduction is still intact. However, I urge everyone to stay tuned as to what is (or is not) happening in Hartford and contact your local legislators to advocate for the tax relief as well as funding for the pension fund and health benefits. Should we receive word of any pending legislation that affects these issues, we will contact everyone on our email roster.

I hope that you plan to attend our general membership meetings this year. Not only do you get a fabulous lunch (usually with left overs to take home) but more importantly it is a chance to hear the latest information regarding retirement benefits and to meet and socialize with colleagues that you may not see that often. Additionally, there are informative or entertaining programs enjoyed by all. This year’s programs will include a multicultural presentation, a salute to our

Armed Services Veterans, a presentation by the ARTC Legislative Committee Co-Chairs, our annual Holiday show by the Trumbull High Chamber Singers and the annual Memorial Service.

In keeping up with modern communications methods, there are two websites that you should frequently visit that will keep you up to date with news you can use. The first is our own website at www.gbrta.org and the second is the ARTC website.

Finally, I want to extend my appreciation and thanks to the following who have retired from their GBRTA positions: Bonnie Drozeck—Treasurer; Sandy PetrucelliCarbone– Corresponding Secretary; Virginia Loch—Investments; Peggy Vaugh– Member Services; Nan Stern—Membership; Lois Hoyt—Trips and Helen Scinto—Newsletter Editor. Several of them have agreed to assume other GBRTA positions.

Enjoy what is left of summer – the katydids have begun to sing and that usually means about six weeks until the first frost!!!

Bob Pitzschler