A Day in the Country for Kids with Cancer
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Children in residence at the Ronald McDonald House in New York City were treated to a day in the country by the Scarsdale Firemen’s Union on Thursday July 28th. Now in its second year, the event gives children undergoing treatment for cancer the chance to put thoughts of their illness aside and enjoy a carnival, swimming and fun courtesy of Firemen’s local 1394 and generous sponsors.
John Savarese, a 27-year veteran of the force, was the main man behind the event which brought together 25-30 kids from Ronald McDonald House with local firemen and their families. The kids enjoyed carnival rides and games and delicious food donated by local restaurants. They also were taken for a dip in the Scarsdale pool.
The Scarsdale Rotary provided gift baskets filled with toiletries and necessities to family members who stay with 
the children at Ronald McDonald House. Also on hand were the Scarsdale Police Chief and Fire Chief, along with village employees who came out to greet the visitors.
Savarese, who is also a skilled magician, made it a magical day for these ailing children. He said the event gets bigger and better each year and plans to continue to hold “A Day in the Country” in the years to come.
He wishes to thank the individuals and local unions who made the day possible, as well as the following restaurants for their participation:
- All Good Things
- Buon Amici
- DeCiccos
- Del Primos of Yonkers
- Jade Spoon
- Katzenberg’s
- Lulu’s Bakery
- Metro Deli
- Rennaissance Bakery
- Ruffled Feathers
- Saxon Woods Grill
If you’re interested in seeing Savarese perform his own magic, look for him at the Tiki Bar at Rye Playland this summer, and after Labor Day at Club 42 at the Ritz in White Plains.
Photos courtesy of Jon Thaler. See more at www.jonthaler.com.
A Wonderful Turnout for Gilda's Club
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Almost 150 people participated in the Gilda’s Club of Westchester Golf and Tennis Invitational on Monday July 18 at Sunningdale Golf Club in Scarsdale. The event raised funds to support Gilda’s Club Westchester, a resource for social and emotional support for people living with cancer, located at 80 Maple Avenue in White Plains. Membership and all activities at Gilda’s Club are open to all and free of charge. The Gilda’s Club Program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education and social activities.
Stephanie Falk, Gilda’s Club Director of Special Events and Board Member and Chair Jimmy Weil along with event co- chairs Margot Milberg, Cindy Musoff, Gerri Sommers, and Julian Wise, did an excellent job of running the event which was sold out this year. Participation in the tennis round robin grew from 16 players in the first year to 52 in 2011.
At the lunch following the morning of tennis, co-chair Cindy Musoff said, “you know you’re doing something worthwhile when you volunteer at Gilda’s Club.” She encouraged everyone to volunteer and stop by the club to visit. Cancer survivor and Gilda’s Club Member Chris Smith spoke about her 2009 cancer diagnosis and the essential role the club played in getting her through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She participated in support groups, classes, workshops and exercise session and said, “Gilda’s Club has now become my second family.”
The event ended on a lighter note when prizes were awarded to the top scorers in each of the tennis flights with Patti Dweck winning the A/B
Kudos to even committee members: Carol Bennett-Schnorr, White Plains; Andrew Falk, Edgemont; Wendy Kleinman, Scarsdale; Marthalee Mellis, Edgemont; Mike Mellis, Edgemont; Beth Metzendorf , Larchmont; Dan Milberg, Scarsdale; Jason Monroe, Purchase; Julie Monroe, Purchase; Scott Musoff, Edgemont; Stacey Remnitz, Armonk; Gary Rones, Mamaroneck; Andy Sommers, Edgemont; Linda Sommers, Chappaqua; Mitch Stein, Scarsdale; Jim Stern, Mamaroneck; Mayo Stuntz, Mamaroneck; Harri Taranto, Larchmont; Susie Wang, Rye Brook; and Jim Weil, Scarsdale
To learn more about how you can get involved in Gilda’s Club visit, http://www.gildasclubwestchester.org/
Pictured at top: Cindy Musoff, Gerri Sommers, Beth Metzendrof, Stephanie Falk, Margot Milberg, Wendy Kleinman
Announcing Kids Kloset
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Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) is issuing a "clothes call" to launch its newest program - Pass It On Kid's Kloset - that will provide new and gently-used children's clothes and essentials to Westchester families in need.
Nearly 12% of children in Westchester, ages 0-18 live in poverty. All Kid's Kloset items will be given free to families living at or below the poverty line and each request will be filled with a personally packed bag made especially for a designated child.
In order to fill the shelves, Kid’s Kloset seeks gently-used and new children's clothing and shoes, select baby supplies and new children's socks, underwear, pajamas, baby bottles and sippy cups.
Donations can be dropped off during business hours at WJCS Headquarters at 845 North Broadway in White Plains, or they also can be brought directly to Kid's Kloset by contacting Stephanie Roth, Volunteer Director, at kidskloset@wjcs.com, or call 914-761-0600 X 715.
Kids Kloset is also seeking collaboration with local houses of worship, community groups and businesses to run clothing collection drives. Kid's Kloset volunteers will help coordinate the drives and your assistance in securing entrée to such groups will be greatly appreciated. If you have contacts with groups who can help, get in touch with Stephanie Roth. Also share the news about the program with family, friends, neighbors and business colleagues.
In addition, financial contributions will allow Kid's Kloset to provide items that are not donated. To make an online contribution, please go to: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/WestchesterCommunityServ/OnlineDonation.html. Checks made payable to WJCS Kid's Kloset can be sent to WJCS, 845 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603.
Edgemont School Foundation BBQ at Sunningdale
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The Edgemont School Foundation (ESF) will hold its annual summer get-together on Tuesday, August 2nd. Everyone is invited to join their friends and neighbors to celebrating the schools and honor the ESF's commitment to the Edgemont school system. The barbeque dinner/fundraiser will be held at Sunningdale Country Club on Underhill Road in Edgemont. The event will begin with cocktails at 7 pm. The proceeds from this event go directly to the ESF's mission: “Ensuring and enhancing the value of an Edgemont Education."
The ESF's most recent grants were made possible by the very generous donations of the community. Addressing the Edgemont School District’s critical need to upgrade the computer network used by students and faculty, the ESF awarded a grant of $162,000 to the District in April of 2011. The grant, the largest ever by ESF, will fund a much-needed project to upgrade the computer network at all three schools by increasing the network’s speed tenfold and internet connectivity, migrating from an old network operating system to a new operating system that is more compatible with various applications, and retiring several antiquated servers. Work on the technology infrastructure project is expected to be completed over the summer so that all of the planned enhancements will be fully operational for the start of the 2011-2012 school year.
The grant expands upon previous grants of $72,785 and $118,000 awarded by ESF that funded the infrastructure for wireless technology in the Junior/Senior High School (March 2007) and both elementary schools (March 2010), essentially making the Edgemont School District a “wireless campus." Since 2004, ESF has awarded the district more than $850,000 for a variety of projects and programs, including a state-of-the-art audio/visual system in the Junior/Senior High School auditorium, a new student information system for the District, elementary school playgrounds, Social Emotional Learning Parent Workshop, mobile computer science labs, a Junior/Senior High School Campus Garden and a 4th grade Narrative Dance Program.
ESF co-chairs Andrew Conway and Steven Heineman are excited for the summer get-together and hope many residents attend the greatevent. Invitations went out earlier this month to all residents. Tickets are $150 per person and additional donations are welcomed. The ESF is a not-for-profit corporation and all gifts are deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Fro more information, contact Andrew and Steven at esf@ehs.edgemont.org.
UJA Raises $50,000 to Save Program for Seniors
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More than 100 guests gathered on Thursday, June 16, 2011, to celebrate UJA-Federation of New York’s Scarsdale community, its contributions to the organization’s 2011 Annual Campaign, and the vital work of UJA-Federation.
UJA-Federation raises funds that sustain the activities of more than 100 health, human-service, educational, and community-building agencies. These community-based organizations provide services that combat poverty, help the elderly age with dignity, promote Jewish identity and renewal, strengthen children and families, and open doors to those with disabilities and special needs.
During the Scarsdale Couples Event, the successful completion of a special initiative by UJA-Federation’s Scarsdale Women’s Philanthropy also was announced. This effort raised funds for Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) Senior Program
The WJCS Senior Program, which offers 250 older adults a critical lifeline that connects them to others and to their community, was facing a major financial crisis. Scarsdale Women’s Philanthropy committed to raising $50,000 to close its budget shortfall. Once that goal was reached, an anonymous donor committed to contributing an additional $25,000.
“We’re a strong community, committed to making a difference where we can,” said Scarsdale Divisional Chair Caryl Orlando. “We
Tizmoret, Queens College Hillel’s a cappella group, performed at the event. UJA-Federation funds 12 local Hillels through Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, including the Hillel at Queens College.
Trisanne Berger, Pam Frankel-Stein, Robin Gottlieb, Stephanie Hurwitz, and Stephanie Tessler serve as Scarsdale area chairs.
About UJA-Federation of New York
UJA-Federation of New York, the world’s largest community-based philanthropy, raises funds that sustain the activities of more than 100 health, human-service, educational, and community-building agencies. Every day, these community-based organizations provide a multitude of services that combat poverty, help the elderly age with dignity, promote Jewish identity and renewal, strengthen children and families, and open doors to those with disabilities and special needs. With a reach that spans New York, Israel, and 60 countries around the globe, we touch the lives of 4.5 million people every year, fulfilling a mission to care for people in need, inspire a passion for Jewish life and learning, and strengthen Jewish communities. For more information, please visit www.ujafedny.org.
Pictured at Top: Susan Goldenberg, Nina Ross, and Linda Plattus
Photos supplied by UJA-Federation of New York
