Voters who cast their ballots at Bellevue Heights United Methodist Church have an opportunity to donate to a local nursery school on their way out. (c) 2022 Hannah Ferrera

2022 Election

Nursery Fundraiser Brings Voters to the Polls

By Hannah Ferrera

Video

REPORTER: OREO SURPRISE COOKIES AND HOMEMADE BAKLAVA.THESE MAY NOT BE THE FIRST WORDS THAT COME TO MIND WHEN THINKING OF ELECTION DAY. HOWEVER, VOTERS AT BELLEVUE HEIGHTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CAN GRAB A TREAT AFTER CASTING THEIR VOTE. BELLEVUE HEIGHTS NURSERY SCHOOL DIRECTOR SAYS THAT ELECTION DAY IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO FUNDRAISE. 

KATHY TORNATORE: This has been a polling place in the United Methodist Church for probably about as long as we’ve been in existence. And so we’ve decided that it would be a great idea as a fundraiser to pair election day with a bake sale and craft sale.

REPORTER: A BELLEVUE HEIGHTS NURSERY SCHOOL PARENT WHO WAS HELPING WITH THE FUNDRAISER SAYS THAT IT’S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MEET FELLOW PARENTS, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO APPRECIATE DEMOCRACY. 

ANNE-MARIE FRIEDMAN: And then also to see and meet people in the community who are here to vote and you have little, mini conversations as they peruse the goods. So, yeah, it’s been really fun … 

REPORTER: THE MONEY RAISED GOES TOWARDS SALARIES, ARTS SUPPLIES, FIELD TRIPS, AND PLAYGROUND EXPANSION. WHILE TORNATORE WAS INITIALLY CONCERNED THAT EARLY VOTING WAS GOING TO LESSEN FOOT TRAFFIC, SHE SAYS SHE HAD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, AND THE BAKE SALE IS ANOTHER WAY TO DRAW VOTERS TO THE POLLS. 

KATHY TORNATORE: “When COVID hit we had about three years where we weren’t able to have it. And we’ve had calls this year of people calling to check and see, ‘are you guys having the bake sale again? I want to stop by; I’ve missed it.’ ”

REPORTER: COMMUNITY CAN BE SEEN IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS – WHETHER THIS IS BY CHECKING A BOX OFF ON A BALLOT OR BY BUYING A COOKIE ON YOUR WAY OUT OF THE POLLING STATION. THIS IS HANNAH FERRERA. DEMOCRACY IN ACTION. 

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (DIA) — Voters who cast their ballots at Bellevue Heights United Methodist Church have an opportunity to donate to a local nursery school on their way out.

Bellevue Heights Nursery School is celebrating its fiftieth year inside the church, where the non-sectarian school uses its location during the election to set up a bake and craft sale. Voters who come to the polling location can pick up a cookie, brownie, a locally-loved homemade pie or various other sweet treats. Crafts being sold include items such as bracelets, cards and picture frames.

“This has been a polling place in the United Methodist Church for probably about as long as we’ve been in existence,” said Kathy Tornatore, Director of Bellevue Heights Nursery School. “And so we’ve decided that it would be a great idea as a fundraiser to pair election day with a bake sale and craft sale.”

The money raised during the fundraiser goes to a variety of needs for the school, including tuition covers, salaries, art supplies, snacks, field trips and expanding the playground. With early voting trends, Tornatore was worried that a large crowd was not going to come to the polls. However, this concern was soon alleviated when a steady stream of voters stepped in line to buy a craft or baked good.

This was the fundraiser’s first time back after it had to halt due to COVID-19 – and voters were extremely excited to see it once more.

“We’ve had calls this year of people calling to check and see, ‘are you guys having the bake sale again? I want to stop by. I’ve missed it,’ ” said Tornatore. 

Anne-Marie Friedman, a Bellevue Heights Nursery School parent and fundraiser volunteer, said that she’s not only happy to speak with other parents, but also other members of the community.

“To see and meet people in the community who are here to vote and you have little, mini conversations as they peruse the goods. It’s been really fun, ” said Friedman. 

Tornatore said that the fundraiser has already earned a lot in donations and is excited to put it towards the school in the future.

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