Adelphi Academy students give back for the holidays

Donate food, set up Little North Pole to aid Juvenile Diabetes research

November 26, 2014 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Lt. Joel Ashcroft (center) and Austin Chung of the Bay Ridge Salvation Army Corps were presented with dozens of canned goods donated by Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn students as part of the academy’s annual holiday food drive. Also pictured are Adelphi’s Academic Coordinator/Guidance Counselor Patrizia Vicino, Director of Academy Operations Albert C. Corhan and Head of School Iphigenia Romanos (left to right).

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Volunteers from Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn recently turned into Santa’s helpers for a good cause. Students at the Bay Ridge school assisted in the preparations for a winter wonderland display that a Queens lawyer sets up on the front lawn of his house to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Joseph Mure Jr., who lives in Neponsit Beach, hosts a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on his street every year to raise funds for the association. The centerpiece of the event is his Little North Pole display, featuring Santa, snowmen, giant toy soldiers, wreaths and other Christmas treats. Adelphi students spent a recent Saturday helping Mure set up the holiday decorations, which included several larger-than-life, custom dreidels that were built, designed and painted by Adelphi’s Fine Arts Department.

Mure has been transforming his Neponsit Avenue property into a winter wonderland for many years to benefit the JDRF. The annual Little North Pole event serves as a giant fundraiser for the foundation and draws thousands of visitors each year. This year’s event will take place on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. and will feature food, toys and live music.

Students, faculty and staff members from Adelphi will be there on the big night to volunteer. Adelphi officials will also be presenting a check to Mure to benefit the foundation.

“Joe is a dear friend and our partnership with him and the Little North Pole event is something we’re extremely proud of at Adelphi,” said Albert C. Corhan, director of academy operations at Adelphi. “We are pleased to be able to assist Joe and to support the work of the JDRF and we commend him for his steadfast dedication to such a wonderful and important cause.”

Head of School Iphigenia Romanos said she is proud of the students for helping to set up the Little North Pole scene.

“The holiday season is all about giving and Adelphi has a long and rich history of giving back to our community and those around us. Our involvement in the Little North Pole is such a wonderful experience for our students and our school community and is an excellent example of Adelphi’s willingness to give back to causes that truly capture the holiday spirit,” she said.

Also in the spirit of giving back, Adelphi students donated dozens of canned goods to needy families, just in time for Thanksgiving. Corhan, Romanos and staff welcomed Lt. Joel Ashcroft and administrative assistant Austin Chung of the Bay Ridge Salvation Army Corps to the academy on Monday, Nov. 24 to collect the generous donations made by students throughout the month as part of Adelphi’s annual holiday food drive. The food collected was to be used to stock the food pantry shelves and provide immediate help to those in need, officials said.