Friends and supporters of the Waldorf School of Garden City gathered at the home of John and Kristin Miller on Thursday, October 4th for the School’s annual Benefactors Reception. Longtime supporters of the Waldorf School, John is a former trustee and Kristin is a former faculty member and current trustee. The couple is currently enrolled in the School’s Parent-Child program with their 1-year-old daughter.

The event was an opportunity for the Board of Trustees, Faculty and Staff to thank members of the community for their generous leadership support of the 2011-2012 Annual Fund. Guests enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres along with reflections and comments by Waldorf’s Board Chair Mr. Jay Dorman, the School’s Director of Development Mrs. Marjorie P. Jean-Paul as well as Mr. Miller.

In his remarks, Mr. Dorman thanked the gathering of nearly 75 people. “They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, that ‘village’ is here tonight and I want to thank all of you who volunteer your time, energy and financial resources to our beloved Waldorf School.” A parent of three Waldorf graduates, Mr. Dorman first enrolled his eldest daughter in the kindergarten in 1981. “Today, I am so proud of them. They are true ‘Renaissance individuals’ who are well-rounded and deeply care about the world around them.”

Happy that his daughter is now attending the School in the Parent-Child class, Mr. Miller remarked, “We all share a deep connection and commitment to the Waldorf School.”

In addition to expressing her thanks, Mrs. Jean-Paul announced a special match opportunity for the coming year’s Annual Fund. “To celebrate the School’s 65th Anniversary, the Board of Trustees and a group of current and alumni parents have joined forces to offer a $65,000 matching gift for all contributions made to the Annual Fund before December 31st. This means that for every dollar made to the School by December 31st, another dollar will be contributed by this group.”

Mrs. Jean-Paul also highlighted the upcoming Spring Gala Dinner in celebration of the School’s 65th Anniversary, on Friday, May 10th, 2013 at the Garden City Hotel. “A number of volunteers are getting ready to make this the biggest and best Gala event ever!” Mrs. Jean-Paul announced that Mr. and Mrs. Miller will be among the gala honorees at the May 10th event as well as Mr. Bruce Travins, the School’s former Librarian who retired in 2010 and Mrs. Rebecca Soloway, a beloved teacher who retired last year after 25 years of service. Other gala honorees include Mrs. Marilyn Cranin, a long-time Waldorf Trustee and Mrs. Jo Ann Shaw, another teacher who also recently retired.

At the end of the evening, everyone received a special gift basket of potatoes and herbs harvested by the students from the School’s organic garden. Central to the Waldorf curriculum, students actively work in the School’s gardens where they engage in hands-on learning. The potatoes were planted and harvested by the students and the baskets were specially prepared with recipe cards for roasted potatoes and herbs – the same recipe used by the School’s Chef and Cafeteria Manager, Mrs. Aviva Gill. At the end of the event, many guests remarked their delight upon receiving a gift so unique and closely tied to the School’s students and curriculum.