Girl Scouts and Junior League to Host Annual Galas

Both the Girl Scouts and the Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) have announced their upcoming anniversary galas. Actress Vanessa Williams will be honored at the Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary Heart of the Hudson event and Brian Conybeare, an award winning journalists and News 12 anchor, will emcee of the night for the JLCW gala.

The Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) announced that tickets are now available for its 65th Anniversary Gala on March 16, 2012, at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. This monumental 65th Anniversary Gala will celebrate the JLCW’s growth over 65 years, and the organization’s commitment to promoting volunteerism; developing the potential of women; and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. As one of the JLCW’s primary fundraisers, the Gala will provide essential financial support for the JLCW’s educational and charitable projects.

The theme of the gala will be “Lights, Camera, ACTION!” Set against a red carpet backdrop, the Gala will recreate the atmosphere of a Hollywood party. The event is open to the public and will be attended by JLCW members and other prominent members of the community. Family Services of Westchester will be recognized with the Community Partner Award for their demonstrated excellence in partnering with JLCW. JLCW member and Scarsdale resident Lynne Clark will also be honored with the Distinguished Sustainer Award. Many of the League’s past presidents will be in attendance to receive the Circle of Leadership Award for their exceptional leadership and commitment to promoting the mission of JLCW.

The Del Bocas

The evening will include cocktails, dinner and dancing, featuring music by The Del Bocas, a 6-member band of Scarsdale and Edgemont residents. Red carpet photos and other photography for the evening will be provided by Londin Photography and available for purchase at the event. During the cocktail hour and dinner, there will be a silent auction, including exciting one-of-a-kind items like vacation getaways, behind-the-scenes tours, VIP tickets and a private shopping event. The emcee of the event will be Brian Conybeare, anchor from News 12 Westchester and husband of JLCW member Janna Conybeare. Brian is an award-winning journalist dedicated to keeping people in Westchester and the Hudson Valley informed on what’s happening in their hometowns. Brian’s many awards include three New York Emmy Awards, five Edward R. Murrow Regional Awards, and five New York Associated Press Broadcast Awards.

“We are thrilled to host a festive evening to celebrate this milestone and honor those volunteers whose tireless efforts have made a significant impact in our community,” stated Lynn Marvin, President of Junior League of Central Westchester. "We hope this year's gala will increase our ability to promote the literacy, health and welfare of children and families in the JLCW service areas of White Plains, Greenburgh, Eastchester and Scarsdale.”

Sponsorship packages, including tickets, tables and a range of additional recognition opportunities are available, as are advertisements in the Gala journal.

For more information on the Gala, becoming a sponsor, advertising in the journal, or donating to the silent auction, please contact the JLCW office at (914) 723-6130, or email jlcw@verizon.net. Tickets to the Gala are now available at www.jlcentralwestchester.com .

In honor of Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson (GSHH) is hosting a Centennial Gala honoring Women of Leadership and Excellence on Thursday, March 15th, 2012 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, in Tarrytown, NY. GSHH will honor women who have distinguished themselves in their fields and are role models for girls striving to become the leaders of tomorrow. At the event actress Vanessa Williams; Congresswoman Nita Lowey; PR Executive Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson; and Watson Women of IBM will all be honored.

The evening will be hosted by CBS news correspondent Alexis Christofouros and include live jazz entertainment by Ragan Whiteside and the Fam, a silent auction, dinner, Girl Scout ceremony and a special Girl Scouts 100th birthday celebration. Christofouros is an Emmy-nominated MoneyWatch correspondent and anchor for CBS Newspath, the affiliate news service, covering business and consumer news. Ragan Whiteside is a contemporary jazz songwriter, composer and musician who is nationally recognized.

Vanessa Williams, actress, will be honored for her work in the arts and entertainment field. A Westchester native, Williams was a Girl Scout in Chappaqua and has been involved in the performing arts since childhood. She is a world-renowned actress having played roles in major motion pictures, on Broadway and recurring roles on the popular TV series “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives”.

Nita Lowey, U.S Congresswoman, will be honored for more than three decades of public service to the citizens of New York State. Lowey is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and has served in Congress since 1989. Lowey was a Girl Scout in the Bronx.

Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson, partner in Thompson & Bender, Westchester’s leading public relations/marketing/advertising firm based in Briarcliff Manor, will be honored for her achievements in business entrepreneurship. A Girl Scout as a child, she has had an extensive career in marketing and communications over the past 20 years. She is an active member of, and has served in leadership positions for, many professional women’s associations as well as a number of non-profit boards.

The Watson Women of IBM will be honored for their tremendous leadership in developing female leaders in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields at IBM. Watson Women's Network (WWN) is a volunteer network at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center. our members reach their full potential in the workplace.

The fifth and final honoree will be a Young Woman of Leadership and Excellence who has yet to be named. This young lady will have demonstrated leadership among her peers and in her community to help “make the world a better place.” Nominations are now open for this honor.

Tickets for the Gala, which begins with a reception at 6pm, are $175 per person. To become a sponsor, attend the event, purchase a journal ad, or more information, contact Mary Ellen Hoffman at (914) 747-3080, ext. 739, mhoffman@girlscoutshh.org. In addition to the silent auction at the Gala event, GSHH will also host an online auction consisting of a wide selection of highly desirable prizes including; trips, jewelry, household items and professional services. For more information about the online auction, go to: www.biddingforgood.com/girlscoutshh . For more information about both the silent and online auctions contact Monica Spears at (914) 747-3080, ext. 765, mspears@girlscoutshh.org.

Girl Scouts of the USA was founded in Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) strives to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Accordingly, GSUSA continues to be the world’s pre-eminent organization for, and leading authority on, girls, with a membership of more than 3.2 million girls and adults.

(Pictured at top: Vanessa Williams)