In Fonda, members of the 100 Women Who Care organization recently presented a $20,000 check to support the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District Backpack Program, which serves about 50 students in the district with bags of food weekly and over long holidays and breaks. The donation will help the district continue to serve local families suffering from food insecurity and not have to turn anyone away. In addition, it will allow the school to expand its program to the summer months by offering food boxes for families or possibly running a summer meal program. Officials also hope to expand the selection of items currently provided in the bags. For information on the 100 Women Who Care Adirondack Foothills chapter, visit its Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/100womenadk/. For more on the district’s Backpack Program and the impact of the latest donation, visit: https://www.fondafultonvilleschools.org/100-women-who-care-donates-20k-to-backpack-program/

In Schenectady, the Schenectady Foundation is currently seeking applications for three scholarship programs. These scholarships provide financial assistance for a variety of educational paths, from vocational training to teaching to STEM, for graduating seniors in Schenectady County. Applications from eligible high school students are due by March 25. Students will be notified of their awards in early May. The Schenectady Foundation plans to award up to $80,000 in scholarships in 2026. In 2025, the Foundation awarded $69,000 in scholarships. To visit the application portal and learn more about the criteria for these scholarships and how to apply, visit: https://www.schenectadyfoundation.org/page/scholarships-171.html .

In Schoharie County, two young girls who met in the hospital after each having had brain tumor surgeries recently enjoyed a visit with their families to Walt Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Eight-year-old Madison of Middleburgh and 14-year-old Kylie of Schoharie bonded over their love of Disney and their favorite character Stitch. When it came time to pick their wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, they chose to visit Walt Disney World and meet Stitch together. In celebration of these best friends, Stitch brought along Angel from Disney Channel’s “Lilo & Stitch: The Series” for an exclusive meet-and-greet with their families For information on Make-A-Wish Vermont and Northeastern New York, visit: https://wish.org/vtny .

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High Notes is a regular weekly feature of The Gazette Family of Newspaper’s Opinion section spotlighting the good being done in our communities by individuals, organizations, schools and colleges, and businesses. If you know of anyone who should be celebrated, send your suggestions for High Notes to Editorial Page Editor Mark Mahoney at mmahoney@dailygazette.net.

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