Submitted photo The late Paula Troutman (bottom right), and her family, husband Dan Troutman, daughters Danielle Arnone, Kourtney Almeida, Justina Young,and son Cody Troutman. A fundraiser has been started for local fire departments, inspired by the family and honoring Paula.

A fundraiser has been started by multiple area school districts to honor late Fredonia Middle School Principal, Paula Troutman.

Troutman passed away unexpectedly on New Year’s Day, and the “Love More” fundraiser has been inspired by her family. The fundraiser is selling shirts with Troutman’s motto “Love More” printed on them, and involves multiple schools including; Fredonia, Clymer, Sherman and Panama. All proceeds go towards local volunteer fire departments.

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher at Clymer Central School and friend of Troutman, Heather Gorée, remembers Troutman as faith-filled, loving, kind, brave, patient, giving, helpful, genuine, accepting, content, fun, intentional, passionate, unique, forgiving, empathetic, and gentle.

Gorée said the fundraiser originated in the Fredonia School District and surrounding areas.

“Darrin Paschke, Fredonia High School Principal, was very helpful when I contacted him about joining the Fire Department Fundraiser, honoring Paula,” Gorée said. “He explained there was a good initial response to the fundraiser on the South Side of Chautauqua County and thanked Sir Prints A Lot, in Fredonia.”

Gorée contacted Heather White at Triple E Manufacturing and Design in Sherman who helped to print the shirts for Northern Chautauqua County, after the administration at Clymer, Sherman and Panama schools gave the go-ahead to join the fundraiser. Gorée said this fundraiser is important to her because of her friendship with Troutman.

“Paula’s a very special person to me, both personally and professionally,” Gorée said. “Whether there were questions, fun or tricky scenarios or just to share/talk time, Paula was always just a phone call away. Paula cared about me, my family, my health, my dreams and she cared about so many others just the same. The Troutman family is equally as special and does so much good for Western New York. Doing this fundraiser is simply a tiny way to give back and offer support to Paula’s loved ones during this tragic time. Paula would have done the same without hesitation.”

Gorée referred to Troutman as “an inspiration,” saying she has taught her to do better and be better.

“Paula has impacted my life, beginning decades ago with the Clymer/Pine Valley women’s basketball rivalry,” Gorée said. “Since, she’s taught me about faith, family, serving, adversity, grace, forgiveness, education, positivity, growth, health, teamwork, and so much more. Paula is still making a difference from Heaven. The ‘Love Seeds’ she and her husband, Dan, have planted, are growing throughout their Family and it’s beautiful to witness the love and care they all share. Paula’s legacy lives on.”

Gorée said all three CSP schools got involved when she reached out to Fredonia about joining the fundraiser because of the connections for several sports and people, saying it was a natural thought, adding that all three schools, communities and fire departments are “very special”.

Buying a shirt for the fundraiser not only promotes Paula’s 2024 motto “Love More” but supports local Fire Departments, with 100% of the profits to be donated to the Clymer, Findley Lake, Sherman, and Panama volunteer Fire Departments. Gorée said first responders are valued and appreciated, and that there are a few other ways to donate if someone does not want a shirt.

Other donation options include; writing a note of thanks to a first responder or local fire department, donating a financial gift directly via cash or check to the local fire department, or Gorée said someone can always order a shirt and send it to her at Clymer Central School and it will be confidentially donated to someone in need.

Gorée shared a statement from one of Troutman’s daughters, Kourtney Almeida, in regard to the fundraiser.

“In smaller communities, our local Fire Departments are made up of volunteers and are also our first responders to events within the communities to keep us safe and help in any way they can,” Almeida said. “Our Mom was always giving back to others and just the same, our local volunteers do that each day. Our Dad chose local Fire Departments as a focus to continue to ensure they have the resources they need to help our communities. Our Mom was an individual that always gave 100% to anything and anyone she encountered. On a daily basis, Mom showed us how to always show up for people and love the ones around us with everything.”

Gorée can be contacted with any questions at hgoree@clymercsd.org. Shirts are available through Triple E’s website, at https://apparel.tripleemfg.com/product-category/team/love-more-paula-troutman-fundraiser/ . The link remains live until Feb 5.