by Bea Peterson
Everyone in Hoosick knows about the Karen McGovern Fund. They have either contributed to the Fund, benefitted from the Fund or know someone who has benefitted from the Fund.
The Fund was started at a volleyball tournament at the Sand Bar in memory of a special well loved individual who died from cancer in 2000. Karen McGovern graduated from HFCS in 1986. She had an interesting and varied career that eventually brought her to law school. She was in her second year studying law when her life ended.
Her many friends knew her as a passionate person who enjoyed a good debate. They loved her for her wit and her sarcasm but especially for her love of life. They admired her for the strength, spirit and determination she demonstrated throughout her illness. She expected much of herself and expected those she knew to give equally as much of themselves, to their families and to their communities.
The McGovern Fund is an extension of that spirit. The funds are used to support individuals and families currently dealing with catastrophic illnesses in Hoosick and the surrounding areas. This year many individuals and organizations have added to that Fund.
In March the HFCS Boys and Girls Basketball Teams held a hoop shoot and raised over $5,000. In April the Tuesday Night Women’s Bowling League contributed to the Fund. The Annual Poker Run was held May 19 and, matched by the Polish Hall, raised $1,800. The Knock Out Cancer Fashion Show on June 15 raised $2,200.
Quilt
A new ongoing fundraiser this year has been put together by a group of five quilting friends. They are Diane Ahrberg, Nancy Chase, Carol Gatus, Margaret LeStage and Margaret Uebelacker. The group has made an “attic window” quilt. First they took photos of various places throughout Hoosick. The photos were then transferred to muslin and each photo has a fabric frame around it, depicting the view from an attic window. The quilt is beautiful. It was displayed in the Hoosick Falls Memorial Day parade and in Wood Park afterwards. The quilters are selling raffle chances for their precious work until the McGovern Volleyball Tournament on September 7. They will be displaying the quilt every Wednesday evening during the concerts in Wood Park in July and August. The ladies also held a tag sale in the Armory as part of the Town Wide Tag Sale Memorial Day weekend. They will hold another tag sale later this summer. That money will also benefit the Karen McGovern Fund.