WJCS Gala Honoring Karen Blumenthal, Emily Grant Raises Record $730,000 For Westchester
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Karen Blumenthal, second left, and Emily Grant, were honored by WJCS at Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison April 21 by WJCS executives, from left, Board President Barry Kaplan, CEO Alan Trager and COO Bernie Kimberg. The more than 250 Gala guests included Westchester's Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett and Mike Kaplowitz, vice-chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, who presented Blumenthal and Grant with proclamations lauding them for their outstanding contributions to the County. The honorees applauded WJCS for the many programs that benefit 20,000 people in Westchester every year.
Guests also heard compelling stories of help and hope about two individuals in whose lives WJCS has made a difference. One client was a teen girl whose suicidal tendencies were halted after receiving leading-edge behavioral therapy and the other had been a passenger in the first car of the Metro-North train that erupted in flames after colliding with a car on the tracks in February. He sought counseling treatment from WJCS immediately after the crash and is recovering from the traumatic experience.
A children's emotional support program that Blumenthal pioneered at WJCS was just one of many achievements for which she was honored. Her tireless advocacy for children was highlighted as well as her sterling service as a WJCS Board member.
Grant, a former Board member, also won praise for her continuing commitment to enhancing life in Westchester through her numerous philanthropic efforts.
The gala raised more than $730,000 to enable WJCS to continue providing more than 80 mental health, home care, residential, special needs, educational and other programs to the Westchester Community.
"We are gratified by the overwhelming support of our donors, sponsors and attendees who gave generously," said Susan Lewen, director of development at WJCS, "and who value the vital impact WJCS is making to strengthen the lives of Westchester residents."
WJCS is one of the largest non-profit, non-sectarian human services agencies in Westchester, serving 20,000 people annually at 80 clinic, school, community and home-based locations throughout the county. The agency's integrated network of services includes mental health treatment and counseling, child and youth development programs, residential and non-residential programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, home health and geriatric services. The highest level of professional development and training is offered through the WJCS Educational Institute. For more information on WJCS, go to www.wjcs.com.
Additional Gala photos click here.
Please contact Colleen Brathwaite, 914-761-0600 x204 or cbrathwaite@wjcs.com for identification information.
Annual Carnival is a Hit in Scarsdale
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- Written by: Justin Doyno
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The annual carnival took place on Friday and Saturday April 17th and 18th at Scarsdale High School. The weather was beautiful and brought out many families. There were fabulous rides and colorful booths and everyone seemed happy and excited to be there. Popcorn, hot dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy were also part of the mix. Once again the carnival was a major success.Proceeds from the day will be donated to Afya International, Heifer International and the Peter C. Alderman Foundation.
Anti-Semitic Incident at Local Synagogue
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Rabbi Jeffrey Brown and President Donna Ruskin of Scarsdale Synagogue Tremont Temple Emanuel on Ogden Road reported that a children's block bearing a pro-Hitler phrase was found in the art room of the school wing on the evening of April 14, 2015. The block was found by someone from Test Takers, a tutoring group that rents space at the temple.
The synagogue's security officer notified the Scarsdale Police who conducted a full security sweep of the property and the building. The temple is open with security measures in place and increased police presence.
According to an April 15 notification from the synagogue, "concern is magnified today because this incident was connected to space used by our children. And on top of that, we are distressed because of the timing of the incident. Tonight marks the beginning of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)."
SSTTE will hold a joint commemoration of Yom HaShoah with Shaarei Tikvah on Wednesday night April 15 at 7 pm.
Big Night Out Has A Big Impact in Westchester
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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On Friday, March 27, 2015, the Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) hosted BIG NIGHT OUT: Big Night, Big Causes, Big Impact. Over 300 guests joined the JLCW in celebration of the launch and success of the JLCW Westchester County Diaper Bank.
The JLCW Westchester County Diaper Bank is a joint effort with the Westchester County Government to end the silent epidemic of diaper deprivation. "Diapers are a basic need for children – as essential as food and shelter," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "I want to thank the Junior League of Central Westchester for this tremendous partnership. Along with the county's Department of Social Services (DSS), together we are working to keep babies clean, safe and healthy."
The event honored The Acceleration Project and its co-founders, Lisa Tretler and Jane Veron for sharing in its commitment to tapping the potential of women.
Guests enjoyed wonderful food and drinks from local area restaurants and beverage purveyors, including Andreas 25 North, Caperberry Events, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Char, Dolphin, Frankie & Fanucci's, Kumo Sushi Lounge, Lulu Cake Boutique, MS Walker, Morton's The Steakhouse, Niko's Greek Taverna, Penny Lick Ice Cream Company, Sapori, Slovenia Vodka, The Fresh Market, Usquaebach and Zachys Wine & Liquor.
Attendees were treated to a special musical performance by New York Yankee legend and Grammy nominated musician, Bernie Williams. Diana Gould, Ltd, Total Entertainment and Meagan Newhart Photography also contributed to the wonderful evening.
The JLCW is grateful to all of its 2015 sponsors, particularly its Crown Jewel Sponsors, Pepe Infiniti, the host of Big Night Out, and Morgan Stanley, a founding sponsor of the JLCW Westchester County Diaper Bank. Other gracious sponsors include The Chubb Corporation, Neiman Marcus Group, Advocate Brokerage Corp., GEICO Local Office Westchester, Platinum Drive Realty, Simon Property Group, TD Bank, Sportime, Houlihan Lawrence, Clean Design and Coldwell Banker.
The JLCW thanks everyone for coming out to support them. The evening was a resounding success.
What Happened in Utica Stays in Utica
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- Written by: Isabel Klein
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Perhaps the community is wondering what ever happened when Scarsdale High School students flocked to support the Raiders at their semi-final hockey game in Utica, New York on March 14. It was a big trip and, to many parents' concern, some students stayed overnight at the Holiday Inn Express near the stadium. Yet, there were no widely known scandals. No emergency parent group meetings. Utica came and went, and everyone arrived home safely. My friends and I wonder how we possibly pulled an adventure off like that without any serious mania. We did, and it was incredible.
On the easy three hour drive up to Utica, it was exciting to spot the proverbial "Scarsdale Raiders" bumper sticker on the windows of other cars driving down the highway and to look over and see a fellow classmate bopping their head to their own road trip playlist. Sleepy rest stops in quiet upstate towns were teaming with Scarsdale students and echoing with the kind of high school chatter that usually fills Langes on Friday afternoons. (One boy even told a story of running into a high school administrator in a rest stop bathroom, and then having to use the urinal next to him.) Most students left at the same time and thus arrived at the stadium at the same time -- all decked out in maroon clothing and face paint. Spirits were high.
At the game, the energy from the cheering fans was unrelenting. In comparison, the McQuiad (the rival team) fan section was subdued, even though their school is much closer to the stadium than ours. The fans were supporting the players throughout the whole game. We cheered for every Scarsdale goal and even encouraged the team after a McQuiad goal. Energy was intense when the teams were tied, but, eventually, those McQuiad goals outnumbered the Scarsdale ones, and the Raiders lost the game 4 - 2. The loss felt tragic, and heads hung low as we all grudgingly headed back to the Holiday Inn Express for the night.
By 9 p.m, however, the mood transformed from sorrow to excitement. After all, the prospect of an unsupervised evening was exciting. It would be like summer camp -- or, more relevant to us seniors, it would be exactly like college. Oh yes, like any classic movie depiction of an out-of-control Big 10 college party it certainly was. All hell broke loose. The class of 2015 completely took over floors two and three, running in and out of rooms and wreaking havoc.
At 10 pm the hotel tried to control everyone and brought out their wartime consigliores'': a team of short middle-aged women with voices louder than the captain of the cheerleading team and presences scarier than the heaviest football player. They were doing what it took to reclaim those second and third floors of their sacred Holiday Inn Express, including threatening to kick kids out of the hotel and searching rooms. They were adding $100 - $200 fines to the bills for rooms that were damaged. Some kid threw a Timberland boot at the manager; others got kicked off the roof. They chased kids out of the pool area, which was definitely filled above maximum capacity.
The team did their job fast, as most students were too scared to leave whatever room they were in by around 11 p.m. My observations end at this time as I only know what happened in my room. I would not dare meet the wrath of those hotel employees by venturing outside.
The next morning was awkward to say the least at the hotel's complimentary buffet breakfast. Eye contact between hotel employees and students was brief, and everyone just tried to get out of there as fast as possible.
On the drive home, we reflected on the amazing season the hockey team had this year and acknowledged how lucky we were to be along for the ride (pun intended). It was the game of the year, and we had all been there supporting the team together. If that is not a priceless high school memory, I do not know what is. When I reached home, my mother asked me how Utica was. "Mom, what happens in Utica, stays in Utica," I replied. That was the end of that.
