Junior League Partners with Westchester County to Provide Critical Support for Diaper Need
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- Written by Stacie M. Waldman
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The Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) has a long, rich history of serving as a force for positive change in Central Westchester. Its members are all volunteers and come from Scarsdale, Eastchester, Greenburgh and White Plains and work to identify and remediate issues facing their local service area. Fundraising is an important part of the league and funds raised are used to support JLCW's mission to serve the local community where it is needed most.
One of the most impressive and most successful projects to date has been JLCW's formation of the Westchester County Diaper Bank. In conjunction with Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino and the Department of Social Services, JLCW launched the Westchester County Diaper Bank in Fall 2014. This is the first diaper bank of its kind in our area. The Westchester County Diaper Bank (WCDB) collects wipes and disposable diapers of all sizes, types and brands and distributes clean diapers to families unable to afford them.
I had a chance to sit down with some league members to learn more about what the diaper bank is, why it's critical for helping those struggling to make ends meet, and about and how you can help.
Why do we need a Diaper Bank?
In Westchester County, 8,000 children age 4 and under are living in poverty; an additional 3,000 are in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Each child needs 50 diapers per week costing approximately $936 per year. Diapers are a basic need, not a luxury items. Diaper need has been coined "the silent epidemic."
Can't parents buy diapers for their children with WIC or Food Stamps (SNAP Program)?
Diapers cannot be obtained with food stamps, and no state or federal child safety-net program allocates dollars specifically for the purchase of diapers. While TANF covers diapers, its funds must be stretched to pay for other living expenses which doesn't leave much to keep baby bottoms clean and dry. Little if any money is left over to purchase enough to cover the $80 needed per month for diapers. With the support of the Westchester County Government, JLCW and the local community, diapers are now being distributed through the Westchester County Diaper Bank.
What is the impact of lack of diapers for a child?
Without an ample supply of diapers, babies wear used diapers or wear a diaper for too long. These habits, often seen as the only choice by caregivers, lead to poor health from infections, emotional struggles in babies due to discomfort, missing ritual/bonding time (mothers and babies) and distress from tough choices, e.g. pay bills or buy diapers. Babies who wear soiled diapers for too long are at higher risk of dermatological infections and urinary tract infections. Access to diapers alleviates infection, discomfort, emotional struggles and stress.
Why not just use cloth diapers?
Working caregivers must provide sufficient disposable diapers and wipes to daycare facilities and risk missing work if they can't. Washing facilities are often not available to low income families and most laundromats won't allow cloth diapers. Cloth diapers also have a high up-front cost.
Who operates the Westchester County Diaper Bank?
JLCW sources diapers, screens and processes applications, and packages diapers. The Westchester County Department of Social Services (DSS) transports and stores the diapers, and distributes them to applicants.
How many children do you serve?
As of February 1, 2016, the Westchester County Diaper Bank has collected nearly 300,000 diapers and has distributed nearly 180,000 diapers to caregivers. Approximately 12,500 diapers are being distributed per month to needy people which translates to 250 children per month or 3,000 per year. The demand continues to rise, however.
Who is eligible to receive diapers?
Westchester County residents who are parents, guardians or caregivers for children 3 ½ years of age and younger are eligible to receive diapers. Applicants must show proof of residency (e.g., driver's license or a recent utility/rent bill) and the child's birth certificate upon diaper pickup. Although the JLCW partners with DSS, a family does not have to be an existing DSS client to apply for diapers.
How does someone apply for diapers?
More information can be found here:
It's amazing that this service never existed before the JLCW partnership. How can other people help?
• Host a diaper drive with your school, business, civic group, neighborhood or faith organization.
• Donate diapers to the diaper bank including leftovers and opened packages, pull ups, and wipes. There's a bin on the porch at Wayside Cottage, 1039 Post Road, Scarsdale.
• Donate funds to the diaper bank by clicking here.
• Volunteer with JLCW to help support the diaper bank. The next event is coming up on June 18th. Come to Wayside Cottage and help sort and package diapers and wipes from 9:30 AM- Noon, or drop some off that day.
• Use social media to raise awareness and use hashtags #DiaperNeed, #DiaperGap and #DiaperOn.
For more information on the Westchester County Diaper Bank, click here, email: jlcwdonatediapers@gmail.com or call 914-723-6442.
Recycle Children's Bikes for Kids in Need
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A local resident noticed that many people are disposing of their children's bicycles at the dump and suggested that there is something far better to do with bikes your kids have outgrown. A program called Good Goes Around can recycle the bike and give it to a child who cannot afford to buy one.
Good Goes Around helps recycle "gently-used" children's and teen bicycles and distributes them to kids who can't afford to buy bikes. It is a non-profit model program pairing up local bike shops and social service agencies with those interested in donating bikes and volunteering their time. If you donate a bike they will present you with a receipt for a tax deduction.
Biking is a great form of exercise. As childhood obesity and diabetes continue at epidemic levels, you can begin to make a dent in these critical healthcare problems by helping children to experience the joys of pedaling. Good Goes Around will donate the tuned up bikes to children in need. If you have a bike you would like to donate bring to Danny's Cycles on Central Avenue.
DANNY'S CYCLES
644 Central Ave.
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-723-3408
SFCS Honors Margaret Smith and Emily Vallario at Scarsdale Golf Club
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Margaret Smith and Emily Vallario were honored at the Scarsdale Family Counseling Service Starry Night Annual Gala at Scarsdale Golf Club on Thursday night May 12, the organization's 23rd spring fundraiser. The evening featured the music of the Del Bocas, a silent auction, a raffle and dinner and drinks. It was a beautiful warm night and guests gathered on the patio to enjoy the sunshine and views of the golf course.
The event was arranged by co-chairs Elise Flagg, Wendy Berk and Denise Koslowsky, with the help of a committee of eighteen volunteers.
SFCS President Kathy Steves welcomed 
everyone and introduced Executive Director Jay Genova who said that SFCS is now running over 60 parent support groups along with social skills support groups, programs for senior residents and providing family counseling to those in need. This year they are working on the launch of a new website, undergoing a renovation of their offices and have a new logo for branding.
Steves said that Margaret Smith and staff member Emily Vallario were honored for their "exemplary history of dedication to the critical work of the Scarsdale Drug and Alcohol Task Force. The Open Door award recognizes their exceptional work in the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse among our teens."
State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin thanked the honorees for keeping the organization viable in Scarsdale and for "making sure we are healthy in every way." She said they "address problems that we don't see," and gave them each citations.
Saying that "families matter, " Jay Genova thanked the Rotary Club and the Scarsdale Concours for their donations and introduced Margaret Smith who he called "the consummate volunteer."
Poised and confident, Smith said, "I didn't think I deserved a night of the Del Bocas.!" She said "we stand on the shoulders of those came before us when the task force launched in 1984." She said she was exhilarated to be part of something greater than herself and was "thrilled to re-invigorate the task force." She accepted the award "in the spirit of collaboration that will allow us to achieve our goals."
Emily Vallario acknowledged the volunteers who work to keep Scarsdale youth safe and drug-free. She called her colleagues "her work family," who she "counts on for advice and support," and thanked Scarsdale for "16 rewarding years."
Commenting on the evening, Elise Flagg said, "I want to thank the community for their support at the SFCS Fundraiser on May 12 at Scarsdale Golf Club ... our most successful event ever!" Denise Koslowsky, co-chair of the event, said, "It is all about community, and seeing the perfect blend of old and new Scarsdale come together to support SFCS so that they can continue doing such wonderful, important work is thrilling".
Paulie's Warriors Run
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Each year, fifth grade students at Greenacres Elementary School select a community service project. This year, after losing their friend and classmate Paul Ulysses Jimenez to a brave battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, they have dedicated themselves to raising awareness and research funds to fight pediatric cancer.
To that end, fifth graders are organizing Paulie's Warriors Run, to take place at 9am on June 11, 2016 at the Scarsdale High School. Participants will have forty-five minutes to run/walk around the track and will solicit donations to pediatric cancer research in support of their efforts.
Students, teachers and parent volunteers, have created an event logo and t-shirt, and solicited event participation and corporate donations. They will also donate their time on June 11th to help with set-up, clean-up and assist at the various stations during the Run.
Run participants will be soliciting funds for three organizations dedicated to funding pediatric cancer research. These organizations include the PaulieStrong Foundation, a foundation created by Paul's family dedicated to raising awareness and funding to eliminate childhood cancers. Funds raised through PaulieStrong will go directly to the Pediatric Oncology Team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to help fund research to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
Donations in support of Paulie's Warriors Run can be made at www.pauliestrong.org.
To register for the Run please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paulies-warriors-run-tickets-24287549715. Registration is $25 includes the Paulie's Warrior's Run T Shirt designed by the Greenacres 5th Graders.
For more information, please contact Demece at paulieswarriors@gmail.com.
4 Local Students Named National Merit Scholars, Moody's Upgrades Scarsdale's Rating
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Four local students have been named 2016 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship Winners. They are:
- Harry S. Chalfin – Scarsdale High School
- Jeremy B. Goldstein –Edgemont High School
- Charles B. Musoff – Scarsdale High School
- Garrett W. Tanzer – Scarsdale High School
According to the NMSC, the 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program.
National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state's percentage of the nation's graduating high school seniors.
These Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.
NMSC finances most of these single-payment National Merit $2500 Scholarships. Corporations and company foundations that sponsor awards through NMSC also help underwrite these scholarships with grants they provide in lieu of paying administrative fees. Scholars may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
This year's competition for National Merit Scholarships began in October 2014 when over 1.5 million juniors in some 22,000 high schools took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Last fall, the highest-scoring participants in each state, representing less than one percent of the nation's high school seniors, were named Semifinalists on a state-representational basis. Only these 16,000 Semifinalists had an opportunity to continue in the competition.
From the Semifinalist group, 15,000 students met the very high academic standards and other requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. By the conclusion of the 2016 program, about 7,500 Finalists will have earned the "Merit Scholar" title and received a total of about $33 million in college scholarships.
NMSC, a not-for-profit corporation that operates without government assistance, was founded in 1955 specifically to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. The majority of scholarships offered each year are underwritten by approximately 440 independent corporate and college sponsors that share NMSC's goals of honoring scholastically talented youth and encouraging academic excellence at all levels of education.
Scarsdale Receives Aaa Bond Rating
Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the Aaa rating on Scarsdale Union Free School District, NY's $45 million in outstanding general obligation debt. At this time, Moody's has revised the outlook to stable.
The Aaa rating reflects the district's substantial and affluent tax base, healthy financial position with satisfactory reserve levels and strong fiscal management, and a low debt burden.
Rating Outlook:
The stable outlook reflects our view that the district's financial position has stabilized, the result of conservative budgeting and strong financial management practices.
