The Inside Press

by Rachel Neuburger

You’d be surprised how many incredible opportunities there are in New Castle to “give back.” Whether you’re a student, retiree or member of the work force, there are places to lend a hand and gain experience. Here are just a few opportunities out of the many choices volunteers have in and around Chappaqua.

History Buffs

Horace Greeley House, the former home of our most famous resident, is run by the New Castle Historical Society, which is always looking for volunteers to help out with the great events they host in honor of our town’s history. Opportunities include working at the Antique Show, Horace Greeley’s History Hunt, and the Holiday Tree Lighting. Volunteers assist in research and organize programs in conjunction with Chappaqua schools and the library. There are also opportunities for writers at the Society–high school volunteers have written a book about Horace Greeley, and writers of all ages contribute to the quarterly newsletter. Some volunteer work is done during office hours (Monday to Thursday from 10a.m. to 4p.m.), and some with independent scheduling. New Castle Historical Society: email NewCastleHS@aol.com.

Tech Savvy?

The New Castle Media Center is a newly expanded venture with the purpose of using new technology to record important events in Chappaqua. The Media Center is always looking for volunteers to help generate content for the website and television channels. Although there is a minimal annual membership fee- $25 for students, $35 for adults- volunteers get their money’s worth with access to great technology, monthly editing and producing classes, and use of cameras and filming studios. Volunteers are asked to film community events, charity promotions, and other content for the Media Center’s website. Above all, volunteers are rewarded with knowledge and experience that only a hands-on opportunity like this can offer. New Castle Media Center, visit www.ncctv.org, and choose “Get Involved!”

Bookworms

Chappaqua Library volunteers can help with Community Group Liaisons, Hold Lists, and electronic tagging. These programs are limited to adult volunteers willing to make a weekly commitment for several months.

Teens also have opportunities to help out. With the “Volunteen” program, 5th through 12th graders can, for example, plan and implement library teen programs, work on displays in the Young Adult section, and pull books for the hold list. To apply, visit www.chappaqualibrary.org, choose the Teens tab, then click on “Be a Volunteen.” Return completed applications to “Z,” the Head of Teen Services at the Library.

Like to Play?

For those who like to work with youth, the Mount Kisco Child Care Center is the place to go! Over 200 Westchester residents, including many Chappaqua teens, have volunteered at MKCCC over the past year, and most have chosen the “six consecutive week block”; assigned to a certain classroom for six weeks, volunteers assist with activities for the children (infants through school-age) in the classroom. Most activities involve arts and crafts, reading, or simply playing. “Homework Buddy” volunteers offer homework help. Volunteers with special interests have taught photography, scrapbooking and many other fun skills. Adults also volunteer, and can assist in the classrooms or with administrative and reception tasks. Visit Mount Kisco Child Care Center’s website at www.mkccc.org For information and guidelines about the volunteering program, and contact Pam Moskowitz at pammosk@yahoo.com to get started.

Helping Our Older Residents

The New Castle Senior Center also offers many opportunities to give back to our community. Volunteers often help with home meal delivery Monday through Friday: they drive to the Community Center to pick up meals for seniors, then drop them off at the homes of participating residents. Volunteers use their own cars, and can decide on timing based on their schedule. In addition, the Telephone Reassurance program always needs volunteers on weekends. Through “Friendly Visits,” volunteers visit and spend time with homebound seniors. Volunteers are also needed to drive seniors to medical appointments on days when transportation is not provided by the town. Volunteers for any of these programs must be age 21 or older.

These opportunities are just a small sampling of what is available in and around New Castle. Other town and county groups, as well as multiple private entities and religious organizations, offer great options for anyone with a little time and a desire to “give back.” Sometimes all it takes is a little looking, and the results are infinitely rewarding. Senior Center: 914-238-2093 to schedule an appointment.

By Jordan Rosenthal

The whole idea of a stereotype is to simplify. Instead of going through the problem of all this great diversity–that it’s this or maybe that–you have just one large statement; it is this.” Chinua Achebe, Author

Chappaqua has a certain reputation. The public education system is prestigious, reputable, yet costly. Students are accepted into a wide spectrum of colleges and universities, many of which have hefty tuitions. Contrary to the generalization that all citizens of Chappaqua are wealthy, not all families can afford to send their children through college un-aided. There is no greater indication of this than the dependence on the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund.

HGSF began in 1946, when the Horace Greeley High School senior class donated $300 to start a fund for students who needed help paying for college. As word spread, community groups and residents from all socio-economic levels united to provide financial aid to those who needed it. Today, community members donate to HGSF through private solicitations, mailings, and well-attended fundraising events.

The Higher Cost of Higher Education
Today, fewer students can pay for college with its high tuition. The average cost of a private university is about $50,000 annually, roughly five times the sum 30 years ago. According to many financial aid sources and economic indicators online, annual college tuition inflation rates average 8%, double the general inflation rate. When faced with these daunting numbers, where can one seek financial assistance? Scholarships are not within the reach of many students. Certain schools are affiliated with organizations and foundations willing to loan, and state and national organizations and private firms and banks lend to students. About two in three students receive some amount of government assistance for college, but these loans have agonizing interest rates and often snare people into suffocating debt. According to Forbes.com, the average student has about $23,000 of student loan debt to pay off when they graduate!

HGSF: Chappaqua’s Special Resource
But there is an alternative for Chappaqua students demonstrating need. The HGSF donates financial aid to many students who would otherwise have their skills go to waste without a higher education. HGSF fundraising and grants are more important than ever, with the global economic recession and the increase in the value of a college diploma when searching for a job in a struggling market.

Applications are up 50% in recent years, while donations have unfortunately decreased by 13%. When tragedy or troublesome times strike, whether by divorce, unemployment, sickness or death, or if a family just cannot make ends meet, HGSF’s potential assistance is integral. Over the past six years, 167 students have received more than $973,000 in total. These students and their families look to their neighbors and fellow Chappaqua citizens when they need help, and many who can help, do.

Not Everyone in Chappaqua is Affluent
So the stereotype has been disproved. While many residents appear financially comfortable, living in Chappaqua does not directly correlate with affluence and the ability to pay for college independently, attested to by the number of HGSF applications. Indeed, many students need the services of organizations like HGSF to bridge the gap between out of pocket and loaned money, and the actual tuition for the schools they have worked so hard to get into.

We live in a world where people are judged with only slight awareness of facts, and extreme weight is put on the opinions and rumors of others. It is akin to racism and sexism to assume socio-economic levels of people since our country does not geographically segregate the different tiers. Ignorance cannot be seen as bliss when we speak about our own neighbors; we all must support each other in order to maintain the positive image we have earned thus far. The next time you are faced with stereotyping, for better or for worse, how will you act?

Jordan Rosenthal is now a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.hgsf.org