Hello, my name is Margaret Assad (maiden name Maher). I am the oldest of 9 children. The Maher Family is one of the larger families in Monroe. I am a lifelong resident of the Monroe-Woodbury area, a big sister, a mother and a friend. I am writing this request with a heart full of love and determination. As a Class of 1996 MW Alumni, I had the BEST childhood! The best teachers in the BEST school district EVER, GO CRUSADERS! Summers were even better! YAC, The REZ, Walton Lake....so many good times! Monroe has grown...Monroe has changed.

When I was in High School, another large family moved into town, the PAUL Family. Many of you probably know and remember Jermaine Paul, winner of the THE VOICE! Or Pastor Wendy from Harriman's United Methodist Church!

But, in 2001, it was Laura Paul, the baby, that won our hearts when she took MW Track and Field by storm, powering through the 100 meter hurdles to BREAK the NYS Championship Record, take Section IX GOLD and go on to Nationals where she later becomes the national champion.......and to this day (8/26/2025) she is STILL the record holder for the 100m hurdles at MWHS.

Laura would finish High School a champion. She would go on to Barton Community College in Kansas, a school known for cranking out Olympic Champions to include Tyson Gay and Veronica Campbell-Brown. In 2002, Laura was assaulted at school and unable to fulfill her destiny as a track star. She came home, to Monroe, broken and defeated. But Monroe built her back up. Laura is a current Monroe resident.

In 2023, more than 20 years after her brutal attack, Laura could no longer ignore her passion to run. God was calling on her for more. God was calling her back to her destiny. She created a Non-profit organization called the All American Blazers, a track and field team for kids. After 2 years, she has over 300 team members!!! She has a Board of Directors!!!!! She has a team of highly skilled and trained coaches!!!!

So naturally, when the Monroe Temple went up for sale, she wanted it for her team and the greater community. She wants to make sure that kids in Monroe have a safe space, like we did. A place to go to learn, develop, make friends and so much more. Our plan is to repurpose this for after school programs, an affordable and local day care program and of course the home for the Blazers.

But we need help to get there. We need money and volunteers. The Blazers are currently applying for and soliciting grants locally, and state and nationwide. We are also going to be hosting several types of fundraisers, where our kids will also help by vounteering. But we need as much help as possible to keep this beloved Monroe location, local to Monroe. We need the community to stand up with us and help us secure this building for the MW and Orange County kids that could benefit from it for years to come.

Any and all donations are welcomed and appreciated. Local businesses wanting to sponsor the team and/or the community center, please reach out to me.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT! LET'S KEEP MONROE GREAT AND PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR OUR KIDS!!!! WE NEED YOUR HELP.