Local church donates funds to assist recent graduates
Members of Holy Communion Episcopal Church in Lake Geneva recently donated about $5,220 to Badger High School to help graduating seniors pay past-due, school debt. Pictured from left, George Chironis, Lake Geneva Schools director of business services, Randy Lemcke, Holy Communion Episcopal Church senior warden, The Rev. Ryan Delaney, Superintendent Peter Wilson and Tricia Gallion, Holy Communion Episcopal Church treasurer.
Several Badger High School seniors were able to pay off some past-due, school-related debt before graduation thanks to representatives from a local church.
Representatives from Holy Communion Episcopal Church, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, recently donated about $5,220 to Badger High School to help about 30 graduating students pay off past-due lunch debt and activity participation fees.
The Rev. Ryan Delaney of Holy Communion Episcopal Church said he received a list from school officials regarding the amount of money that the students owed.
"I don't know who it went to but I know it went to kids who needed it and families that needed it," Delaney said. "The economy is tough right now. There's a lot of things that were totally different a year ago than what they are today."
Delaney said a portion of the funding came from the church's rector's discretionary fund, which often is used to help people in need pay rent, fees and bills.
"This was definitely up that same alley of helping people in our community, and they don't need to be tied to Holy Communion or be Episcopalian," Delaney said.
Funding also was donated by church members and Delaney's friends and family members.
Superintendent Peter Wilson said he appreciates the church members for donating the funding to assist the students.
"We are grateful for their support and commitment to helping students and families in our community," Wilson said. "Families whose balances were paid received direct communication from Badger High School Principal Andrea Kaplan notifying them of the assistance."
Last December, Holy Communion members donated about $2,000 to five Central-Denison Elementary School families to help pay for their school lunch debt.
Delaney said church members plan to continue to help local school families in the future.
"We just want to be where the need is," Delaney said. "So, we will just take it one day at a time and one step at a time. But we want to continue our good work in the community, for sure."
Holy Communion members also are selling bratwurst during the Lake Geneva Farmer's Market, which is held 8 a.m.-1 p.m. each Thursday through Oct. 29 at the church and Horticultural Hall, 330 Broad St., with the proceeds being donated to local nonprofit organizations.
"We have frozen and cooked brats, so people can come and say 'Hello,' buy a brat and the proceeds go to a good cause," Delaney said.
For more information about the church, visit www.holycommunionlakegeneva.com.
