Debra P. Symonette Craft Day A Great Success!

On Saturday, February 26, 2011 the FUMCOG United Methodist Women, Greene Street Friends School, the Pinder and Symonette families and many friends hosted the second annual Debra P. Symonette Craft Day at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown. 

Debra Symonette was a loving wife and mother whose unique creative talents centered on bringing people together in community. In that spirit, participants in the Craft Day learned or practiced crafts including quilting, knitting, scrapbooking and origami and kirigami. Experienced crafters such as Mariana Eckardt and Sarah Bond, who are also parents of Greene Street Friends alumni, led activities and the FUMCOG United Methodist Women provided refreshments and lunch.

There were morning workshops for children and craft activities throughout the day. First time participant Leslie Klinefelter said of the event, “The Debra Symonette Craft day was a wonderful opportunity to try different kinds of crafts, from origami to quilting. I was so impressed with how many experienced craft people were there willing to teach anyone who showed up with patience and humor. In addition they served great homemade soup and delicious baked goods for lunch. It was a fun way to spend the morning.”

At Greene Street, Debra was a teacher of several grades, head of the After School Program and Director of Admission. She was committed to Friends education and its mission of academic rigor and the creation of community that honors the light of God in everyone. The scholarship fund is dedicated to providing an opportunity for children of limited means to receive a Greene Street Friends School education.

In keeping with her beliefs, the Debra P. Symonette Memorial Scholarship Fund supports Greene Street Friends School’s endowment for tuition aid. Financial accessibility is a key part of the School’s mission. Thirty-seven percent of Greene Street students receive need-based aid. This year’s event raised $1,500 for the Debra P. Symonette Fund, bringing the Fund’s total over $5,300. Director of Development Emily Harmar reports that the School is very grateful to the Pinder and Symonette families and to all the Craft Day organizers and contributors for creating this permanent source scholarship funding.

The date for next year’s event has been set. Mark your calendars for the third annual Debra P. Symonette Craft Day on February 25, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.