Charitable Giving and the Fabric of America

No question that our country's long held belief in giving time and money to charities is part of the fabric of these United States.

I can recall many examples, which I saw and was involved with at a young age, including my parents participation in the PTA (Parent Teachers Association), the Boy Scouts, the Upper Ridgewood Community Church, and our elementary school's Safety Patrol.

It was not out of the ordinary to be associated with altruistic and community-based organizations during my youth. Philanthropy was not a word we thought much upon while we were doing our civic duties.  Though in fact, these efforts were crucial in making Ridgewood such a special place for children and adults to have grown up and raised families.

Now I must remind you all that many remarkable things have come about in our time, as well as the times we spent in Ridgewood, through the aggregation of our dispersed efforts towards charitable giving.

Everyone of the Distinguished Alumni we are honoring on March 10th 2016 have held a strong belief in the wisdom of villages like Ridgewood having common goals. These Distinguished individuals, living and dead, maintained a responsible stance regarding the use of common sense towards advancing public goals. With great pride I can report our Alumni Association will justifiably honor these most ethical individuals with portraits in the main lobby of Ridgewood High School.

My wish now is that the better angels of our nature will prompt vigorous support of the collective works of our Distinguished Alumni. Please contribute by attending the Ridgewood High School Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony on March 10th 2016 or making a generous donation to the RHS Alumni Association.

If you would like to make a donation to support this effort or the general fund, please do so online at rhsalumniassociation.org.