Day of Service at the JCC this Sunday

The community is invited to participate in a day of service and remembrance on Sunday September 14 from 10 am to 3 pm at the JCC of Mid-Westchester in Scarsdale. The day is sponsored by the JCC in cooperation with UJA-Federation of New York as part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance, a federally recognized observance. This day of good deeds and charitable service, with a Remembrance Program 1:00 p.m., is a county-wide event and all members of the community are invited to come out and donate items for charity and/or participate in numerous charitable activities for people of all ages and interests.

Popular children's author Ellen Bari (sponsored through PJ Library) will make a special appearance from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and read from her book "Jumping Jenny." Other programs for the day include: 11:00 a.m. Teen Tribute Program; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Organized Sports Activities in the JCC gym; 1:00 p.m. 9/11 Remembrance Program featuring elected officials and community leaders; and 2:00-3:00 p.m. performance by the New Westchester Symphony Orchestra in the Bendheim Performing Arts Center, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Free Family Swim in the JCC pool, and 2:00-3:00 p.m. Family Sandwich-Making to benefit Bronx Jewish Community Council's Pantry sponsored by ENGAGE of Westchester. Participants are encouraged to bring a loaf of bread for the sandwiches.

Activities to benefit more than 25 local agencies will take place; a bone marrow drive with the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, a pet adoption and pet toys collection with PetRescue, card-making for inclusion with items and food for AnySoldier, which sends packages to for overseas troops, hair donations for Locks of Love, a blood drive to benefit the blood bank at White Plains Hospital, a Rosh Hashanah Package Delivery program (DOROT Westchester), a lemonade stand to benefit Sunrise Day Camp for children with life threatening illnesses and their families, a pasta and cereal collection for Bronx Jewish Community Council's Pantry, a canned tuna collection to benefit Hope Community Services, which provides meals for the hungry in New Rochelle, collection of school and art supplies (for K-5th) for Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA) Cottage School Programs. Donation collections include used Ipads, new or gently used children's books to benefit JCY-Westchester Community Partners, children's clothing for Kid's Kloset of Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), and new pillows for Life Haven Shelter for Women and Children. Village Squares Quilters will coordinate sewing pillow cases for pediatric cancer patients, and ENGAGE will sponsor family sandwich-making to benefit Bronx Jewish Community Council's Pantry.

The event is free of charge and begins at 10 a.m. At 11:00 a.m., the second annual JCC of Mid-Westchester Teen Community Service Award will be awarded to a local student who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Westchester community through service and volunteerism. As a day of service for families with children of all ages, there will be service activities for teens from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (pre-registration is required), including a car wash, sandwich-making for Hope Community Services, and cupcake decorating for local first responders, as well as activities for the youngest set, including child-friendly tzedakah art projects. There will also be intergenerational activities, which include a senior luncheon sponsored by the Esplanade Luxury Senior Residences at 12:00 p.m., organized sports activities for children with special needs led by teen volunteers from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., and age-appropriate art activities.

For more information about the JCC of Mid-Westchester visit www.jccmw.org.