Friends Ride to Honor Michael Ludwig
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 5503
Friends of the Ludwig family showed up on wheels on the Bronx River Parkway on Sunday June 8th for the 7th annual bikeathon for the Michael Ludwig Foundation. The bikeathon is held in memory of Michael Ludwig, who died from an undetected congenital heart condition at 9 years of age. Many of Michael's friends and their families came out to remember Michael and enjoy a special ride.
The Foundations' mission is to enhance awareness, detection, and treatment of congenital heart conditions especially among young athletes. Most recently it has been funding medical research involving coronary anomalies. Learn more at www.michaelludwigfoundation.org
Lemonaid: Helping those in need one glass at a time
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 3938
On Saturday May 31 more than 100 families across Scarsdale set up old-fashioned lemonade stands to help New Yorkers living in poverty. Sponsored by Robin Hood – New York's largest poverty-fighting organization – Scarsdale children and their parents raised more than $75,000 to help their neighbors in need, one glass of lemonade at a time.
Lemonaid is a great way for parents to introduce their children to the importance of giving back at a very young age and it demonstrates how even the smallest efforts can make a huge difference in someone's life. Every penny raised from Lemonaid will go directly to food pantries, soup kitchens, job training programs, schools, and medical services that help the neediest New Yorkers get back on their feet.
Families in Greenwich, CT, also participated in Lemonaid this weekend, and the Hamptons will be hosting Lemonaid stands over the Labor Day weekend. If you would like to participate next year, e-mail Caroline Page at Robin Hood ([email protected]).
Arlene Katz Nominated to Run for Family Court Judge
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 14876
The Westchester Democratic County Committee has nominated Scarsdale Acting Justice Arlene Katz to run for Westchester County Family Court Judge on the ballot in November, 2014
Judge Katz has been a practitioner in the Family Court for over 20 years and has been the part time Scarsdale Village Justice for nineteen years. Speaking for the party, Mark Lewis said, "Arlene understands the needs of children and families and does her best to ensure that they get the best representation possible. This is the type of person we want sitting on the Family Court bench. Judge Katz has complete control of her court and makes sure defendants understand their rights. If they do not, she takes the time to explain before proceeding on. She cares about the people who come before her and tries to make them feel that they will be heard and get a fair trial."
Judge Arlene Katz lives in Scarsdale, is married and has two children who have gone through the Scarsdale School system.
Croton-On-Hudson Acting Village Court Judge Anne Minihan was nominated for Westchester County, County Court Judge. She is the Principal Law Clerk to J. Emmett Murphy, Supreme Court. Ann has worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Westchester County where she prosecuted criminals to the fullest extent of the law.
Judge Minihan has presided over thousands of criminal, vehicular, civil and landlord/tenant matters. Judge Anne Minihan is married and has two children.
JCC of Mid-Westchester Gala Celebrates Special Needs Services
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 6053
Stilt-walkers, a magician and a juggler entertained the crowd at the JCC of Mid-Westchester's carnival-themed Gala, celebrating 20 years of excellence in providing special needs programming and education. Board Treasurer Roger Kahn garnered kudos for his dedication to the JCC, and Alison Singer, president and co-founder of the Autism Science Foundation, received the JCC's Community Service Award for her work on behalf of families and children in the special needs community. Susan Rozin of New Rochelle, Helen Samuels of NYC, and Rachel Moseley of Scarsdale, served as Gala Co-Chairs with honorary chairman Robert Arnow of Scarsdale.
More than 200 guests, including local dignitaries, UJA-Federation of New York executives, business leaders, and patrons gathered at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel in West Harrison, NY, to pay tribute to the staff and teachers of the JCC's Special Needs Services and Enrichment programs, celebrating 20 years since the JCC began special needs programming and education. Toward Tomorrow Pre-School, evaluations for school services, speech therapy, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT) and/or counseling services, integrated summer programming, as well as enrichment programs, such as social skills, Tai Chi, gymnastics, theater, art, music, sports are among the many special needs services and programs offered at the JCC.
As Alison Singer accepted the JCC's Community Service Award, she spoke movingly of her experiences when her daughter was a preschooler in the JCC's highly-regarded Toward Tomorrow Pre-School, licensed by the New York State Department of Education. The celebration extended through Sunday, May 4, with a Family Festival and Carnival at the JCC open to everyone in the community. Children enjoyed carnival game booths and prizes, jumping in bounce houses, and sliding down the Big Slide. Pet Rescue was also present with dogs for adoption. Proceeds from the festival and gala will support the programming and services of the JCC Special Needs department, as well as scholarships for children in various programs at the JCC. Donations still being accepted at www.jccmw.org.
USTA Eastern, Backyard Sports Cares and Sound Shore Indoor Tennis Launch Program for Underserved Youth
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 7744
STA Eastern and Backyard Sports Cares, a Westchester-based non-profit that provides quality team oriented sports programs for both underserved and special needs children, launched a six week evening community tennis program at Sound Shore Indoor Tennis in Port Chester last Friday, May 9th.
The program provides more than 60 underserved youth (ages 6-16) from White Plains and Port Chester the opportunity to learn tennis in a modern tennis facility. Additionally, they will receive quality skill instruction from tennis professionals and high school tennis enthusiasts trained as peer mentors from the area.
"The goal is to instill a love of the game, but also much more," said Sandy Hoffman, USTA Eastern's Tennis Service Representative from the Southern Region. "The full circle of community involvement with kids from different towns and backgrounds playing the game together truly resonates."
Danny Bernstein, Executive Director for Backyard Sports Cares, believes that it is a unique model for private and non-profit enterprises coming together to benefit the community. "It is a privilege to be working with Sound Shore Indoor Tennis. Angela Stevens has a heart larger than an oversized racquet," he said. "This project would never have gotten off the ground without her unconditional support."
Most of the participants are from longstanding Backyard Sports Cares community partners, the Carver Center in Port Chester and the White Plains Youth Bureau. The program beganlast Friday, May 9 and ends June 20, meeting every Friday night (excluding Memorial Day weekend) from 5:30-7:30pm.
The USTA Eastern Section, based in White Plains, New York, is a not-for-profit community service organization whose mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis. The section encompasses all of New York State, Northern New Jersey and Greenwich, Connecticut. It is one of 17 geographic sections of the United States Tennis Association, the governing body of tennis in the United States, and supports more than 49,000 members. The section also establishes and maintains rules of fair play, high standards of sportsmanship and represents, in its jurisdiction, the programs and policies of the USTA. More information about the USTA Eastern section is available by visiting: www.eastern.usta.com.
Backyard Sports Cares (BYSC) is the non-profit (501c3) division of Backyard Sports, the leading provider of community team sports programs for kids of all ages in Westchester County. Established in 2005, Backyard Sports is committed to replacing today's "win at all costs" mentality of youth sports with an approach that promotes increased self-confidence and a lifetime love of sports while maximizing the athletic potential of each participant. Backyard Sports Cares was created to bring these ideals to children who have limited access to traditional youth sports programs, including children with special needs. Please visit www.byardsportscares.org, or call 914-304-4052.
For more information, contact:
Abby Lerner, Senior Manager, Sales & Marketing, 914-697-2383; [email protected]
Linda White-Banta, Backyard Sports Cares, 914.584.8626; [email protected]
Danny Bernstein, Backyard Sports Cares, 914.304.4052; [email protected]
