At Lynnwood Elementary
Mobil money to be used for ecology study

GUILDERLAND — Money donated by Exxon Mobil will be used to pay for an ecologist to teach Lynnwood Elementary students this year.
The ecologist, George Steele, will work with "every grade in the whole school," said Bernice Williams, the principal’s secretary who did the paperwork for the grant.
A popular visitor, Steele has been to the school before, she said. "He had the kids dissecting owl pellets," she said. "They put on gloves and looked to see what was there."
Among other things, they found the remains of mice and snakes in the owl excrement, she said. "It helps them learn about the food chain," said Williams.

The Lynnwood PTA helps out with paying the several thousand dollars it costs to hire Steele, said Williams, but this year the grant will ease the burden.

The elementary school has received funds from the Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance Group for six years, said Williams. For the last two years, Bruce Mance, proprietor of the Guilderland Mobil at the corner of Carman Road and Western Avenue, has matched the $500 alliance grant with his own $500 donation, bringing the total to $1,000, said Williams.
"We’re totally bowled over by his generosity," she said. "Mr. Mance is kind of shy," she went on. "He doesn’t like a big fuss, but we make a fuss; he deserves it."

Mance has a grandson, Zach McNally, who is a Lynnwood student and, at a school-wide assembly last year, Zach McNally had the honor of presenting the check.
"He’s a great kid"very outgoing," said Williams.
She concluded of Mance, "His continued support has helped us have programs that enhance the curriculum of the school."