Feb-Mar 2022 Advisor

ENGAGING

16 CEA ADVISOR FEBRUARY–MARCH 2022

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CEA MEMBERS BRIGHTEN THE HOLIDAYS FOR STUDENTS

really hard time, it allowed us to come together and experience joy.” Nearly as far to the southwest as Stonington is to the southeast, teachers in Westport joined forces with their students and PTA to make their own Holiday Bear project a success. “Thanks to the organizational efforts of Westport Education Association Co-President Stacey Delmhorst and the generosity of her colleagues and community, Westport was one of the towns able to sponsor the most children this year,” DeLancey says. “It was truly a community effort.” “We’ve been involved with the Holiday Bear Project for the last five or six years,” says Delmhorst. “Initially people didn’t know what it was all about, but word has spread. I remember thinking that if one student and family could go out and buy a couple of gifts, a whole classroom could fill everything on a child’s wish list.” She adds, “This community is so generous. We put out a call like this, and it just comes pouring in. It means a lot to me, and every year I’m just more overwhelmed by what we’re able to accomplish.” Teachers throughout the state, from Avon toWoodstock, made the holidays brighter for more than 500 children.

A 35-year veteran high school teacher, longtime negotiations chair, and the president of the Stonington Education Association since 2015, Michael Freeman is used to taking it on the chin. And that’s exactly what he did—quite literally—to help students in need this past holiday season. Freeman spearheaded his local association’s participation in the Connecticut Education Foundation’s (CEF) Holiday Bear project to provide gifts to children who might otherwise go without. (CEF is the charitable arm of CEA.) “Over the past 25 years, the Stonington Education Association has raised $35,000 for children’s gifts, and our educators, students, and community have stepped up each year to make Holiday Bear a success,” Freeman explains. “But this year’s effort came with a twist.” Stonington High School’s student government offered to donate $400

CEA Vice President and CEF President Joslyn DeLancey lends a hand with the Westport Education Association’s Holiday Bear project.

could see the fundraiser taking off. “It was sort of like a Hunger Games revolution,” he jokes. When the day arrived, the assembly in the gym was cancelled because of COVID. “I secretly hoped we could skip the event,” Freeman recalls. “But no— all students were sent back to their homebases to view the event virtually.” Nearly doubling its goal, the student government raised more than $700. Together with generous contributions from teachers and students at Stonington High School, along with Freeman’s own friends and family, SEA raised a grand total of more than $1,500. Community effort “From one end of the state to the other, CEA members went all out to ensure a brighter holiday for children this year,” says CEA Vice President and CEF President Joslyn DeLancey. “During a

to the Holiday Bear fund on one condition: Freeman would have to take a pie in the face. “For some unknown reason,” he says, “I blurted out ‘yes’—a voice in my head saying, ‘Anything for the kids!’” With only a week to go before winter recess, Freeman figured students wouldn’t be able to raise the money in time. If they pulled it off, however, he knew it would be a tremendous help; SEA had expanded its program this year to include more children in need. “We have many students who could use a lift up during the holidays.” Sweet success The student government got to work hanging posters and selling $2 stickers urging everyone to help get their beloved social studies teacher “pied.” With stickers popping up on students’ Chromebooks everywhere, Freeman

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Stonington teacher Michael Freeman gets “pied” to raise money for children in need.