Published: October 20, 2009 07:30 am      

Cheers

... To the Delhi Fuel Bank for offering emergency heating assistance to residents of the Delhi area.

The bank was formed in 2008 in response to the escalating cost of home heating fuel, Committee Chairman Al Davino said.

A group was formed to deal with the threat posted by high heating costs to people who wouldn't normally qualify for other assistance programs but who were having a difficult time making ends meet because of an unforeseen circumstance, he said.

The Delhi Fuel Bank is not intended to duplicate the efforts of programs such as the Home Energy Assistance Program, Davino said. It is administered by a committee of volunteers and is not associated with any public assistance program or religious entity. Recipients are chosen by the committee based on information provided on an application.

The Fuel Bank raises money for its efforts through donations and grants.

We applaud the volunteers and all who contribute.

o ... To the Greater Oneonta Historical Society for its "Oneonta & World War II: A Salute to the Greatest Generation."

The exhibit, which opened Saturday, focuses on local involvement in the war. More than 2,000 Oneonta residents served in all corners of the world in that conflict, according to the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, which created and hosted the exhibit.

Susan Plantz and Kay Bashaw were co-chairwomen of the exhibit.

"It's probably one of the best and most interesting experiences I have ever had," Plantz said, who began collecting items from Oneonta families in May.

The effort took her across the community many times.

"I visited everybody, sometimes more than once, and this is the result," she said.

With the number of World War II veterans getting smaller by the day, we're glad GOHS is honoring those in our community who gave so much at home and abroad.

o ... To St. Mary's School for its Fall Family Festival held Oct. 10.

The event, in its fourth year, is the private school's chief fundraiser. More than 40 volunteers, including teachers, parents, community members and Job Corps students, worked at the event.

Because St. Mary's is private, it receives little money from the state. The money raised is slated to buy two Smart Boards for the classrooms and to offset tuition, according to school officials.

The festival included entertainment, food, inflatables and more.

"We always come to the festival," said Oneonta resident Todd Hartman, whose only child, Alexis, is a second-grader at the school. "It's a really fun day, and it's for a good cause."

We agree and are glad to see it continue.