As you might expect, visits from FedEx are ordinary in the Camden Central School District. On Wednesday, September 11th, Camden Elementary School got a delivery that was anything but. FedEx operations manager Joe Kennard, from the company’s Oriskany facility, came by to personally deliver a generous $3,041 donation on behalf of the company and its FedEx Cares Program.
The money was raised during the facility’s annual charity golf tournament, the FedEx Open. This year marked the fourth annual event, which was held on August 17th at the Skenandoa Club in Clinton. Through donations and sponsorships, the tournament has raised over $25,000 to be donated to twelve different local schools since its inception. This year’s tournament raised over $9,000 alone.
Schools are identified to receive the donation through suggestions from employees. Peggy and Bob Igoe, the parents of 2020 Camden High School graduate Kendra Igoe, brought forth Camden Elementary School as a potential recipient.
Off that suggestion, a big surprise was put into motion. The news was music to the ears of Principal Craig Ferretti.
"It was quite a shock when we received the phone call,” Ferretti said. “To say we are excited is an understatement. It was awesome to be recommended by the family of one of our Camden graduates."
Kennard hand-delivered the donation, with Ferretti accepting alongside students Julia Smith, Parker Philo, Jackson Mitchell, and Darby Butts.
The donation still needs final acceptance from the Board of Education before it will be ready for use. When they become available, Ferretti hopes to utilize the surprise funds to make improvements to the school grounds and playground area through a new beautification initiative.
The District would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation for the generosity of our local FedEx employees, the FedEx Cares Program, and its local sponsors and benefactors for making this possible.