Commissioners recognize school retirees with Proclamation
WAYNESBURG – During their June 21 regular meeting, Greene County Commissioners proclaimed June 28 as Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) Day and presented the proclamation to representatives of the Greene County Association of School Retirees (GCASR), the PASR’s local chapter.
The proclamation was presented to recognize the PASR and GCASR’s contributions as well as the PASR’s 80th anniversary, which took place last December.
GCASR President, Myleen McCollum, thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation, introduced the local chapter’s other representatives in attendance – President-Elect Lorie Greene, Secretary Joyce Fortney, Treasurer Colleen Valosen and Newsletter Publicity Director Barbara McMillen – and stressed to the board that the GCASR does not just represent retired teachers.
“We proudly represent all retirees who are connected with education in any way,” she said.
Commissioner Blair Zimmerman said the proclamation is a well-deserved honor. “The board proudly recognizes the PASR, and particularly this local chapter, for their dedicated efforts in improving the well-being of our public school retirees,” he said. “We encourage all residents to join in and recognize this special observance.”
GCASR currently has 268 local members that include retired teachers, administrators, secretaries, aides, custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers. McCollum said the GCASR’s Retirement Planning Committee volunteers help active school employees prepare for retirement and welcome them into this season in their lives. The committee also serves as an advocate for all seniors.
She added that the Greene County chapter also believes in supporting public education by providing a $1,000 scholarship each year to six local students seeking to pursue a career in a post high school institution. They also give six education support grants annually to recognize outstanding educators and school support professionals, and to help finance innovative educational programs developed in area public schools.
Retired school employees also contribute many volunteer hours to local communities, according to McCollum, in a variety of settings – such as schools, churches, hospitals, nursing homes, libraries and political environments. In addition, the chapter’s RECREO committee is very active and coordinates five to six travel events each year.
PASR, which was officially established on December 28, 1937, is a pioneer of non-profit voluntary membership organizations nationally, having helped establish both the National Retired Teachers Association and then the American Association of Retired Persons.
For more information about PASR and/or the local GCASR chapter, visit www.pasr.org or call Myleen McCollum at 724-499-5467.