New Castle News

To Benefit Pets Alive

By Steven Bernstein

All pet owners and animal lovers should mark their calendars and come to the Millwood Animal Hospital on Sunday May 19^th to participate in Millwood’s 1^st annual Tails to Trails event, an afternoon Pet Fair, to support Pet’s Alive.

Pet’s Alive is a no-kill rescue operation for companion animals. They have been rescuing abused and abandoned animals for over thirty years. Their mission is to rescue animals and find them wonderful homes where they can live happily.

“They’re very interested in finding their animals a forever home,” said Tara Mikolay, the owner of Desires by Mikolay, who donated $3,500 to Pet’s Alive last December, from a charity shopping event.

From 11a.m.-4p.m., the Millwood Animal Hospital will have dog trainers and groomers on site, along with many dogs and cats up for adoption rescued by Pet’s Alive. Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce member Carolyn Simpson of DoubleVision will also be there to take professional pet photos. A portion of the sales will go to Pet’s Alive to help them continue their work helping animals in need.

Dr. Daniela Goldman, one of the owners of the Millwood Animal Hospital, will be on hand to help with any pet related questions. “Pet’s Alive does great work. I have been working with them for around five years,” said Dr. Goldman.

In addition to the events at the Millwood Animal Hospital, people will have the opportunity to take a community building walk down the North County Trail: “We want people to enjoy the beautiful North County Trailway,” said Rob Greenstein, head, of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

On the way to the North County Trail, people will have the opportunity to see “the wonderful mix of Millwood stores in between,” said Greenstein. Several merchants will be holding sidewalk sales for all those who want to stroll through the town and see what Millwood has to offer.

This great event is being sponsored by Millwood Animal Hospital and Drug Mart. For more information on Pet’s Alive, go to http://petsalive.com/ to learn about this organization that is making a real difference in the lives of companion animals.

A Tribute Screening
This candid, colorful film is a tribute to the quintessential New Yorker, former Mayor Ed Koch, portraying him with all his charisma and hilarious bluntness. Koch ruled New York from 1978 to 1989—a decade of nonstop grit, graffiti, near-bankruptcy, disease, corruption, and crime. Koch thrillingly chronicles the personal and political story of running the world’s most wondrous city in a time of upheaval and reinvention.
Neil Barsky. 2012. 95 m. NR. USA. Zeitgeist Films.
Official Website / Trailer
Q&A w/filmmaker Neil Barsky & JBFC Programmer Karen Sloe Goodman
Tickets: $10 (members), $15 (nonmembers)

Koch
BUY TICKETS

The Rosenthal JCC of Northern Westchester today announced that it has partnered with the Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC to launch Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River as soon as this summer. It will be modeled on the original Sunrise Day Camp in Wheatley Heights on Long Island, which was founded in 2006 by the Friedberg JCC as the only dedicated day camp in the nation for children with cancer and their siblings. By 2012, more than 500 children were enrolled. In 2010, the model was expanded with Sunrise Day Camp Israel, which launched with 125 children. Located in Even Yehuda, Israel (near Netanya), it is affiliated with the top five pediatric medical centers in the country. The new location at Pearl River, NY, will offer children with cancer in Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester County, Southern Connecticut and Northern New Jersey summers filled with fun, friendships, and activities. All three Sunrise Day Camps are free of charge.

“Children with cancer are often isolated from the normal activities of childhood. Rarely do they have a chance to see beyond the closed worlds of home, hospital, and doctors’ offices,” said Arnie Preminger, President and CEO of the Friedberg JCC. “Sunrise Day Camp opens the door to a new world by making it possible for campers to enjoy a summer filled with exciting activities daily, enduring friendships and joyful experiences, while paying careful attention to their special medical and emotional needs.”

Like the original camp in Long Island, the Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River will be open on a non-sectarian basis to all children ages 3 1/2 to 16 years who are coping with any type of cancer at any stage, provided their doctors clear them to participate. Siblings are also welcome to attend. In addition to specially trained counselors, specialists, and assistants, the camp will be staffed by on-site pediatric oncology nurses and supported by volunteer pediatric oncology doctors from area hospitals.

In advance of the launch of Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River, the Rosenthal and Friedberg JCCs have developed affiliations with some of the most renowned hospitals and medical centers in the service area in the field of pediatric oncology, including Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and St. Barnabas Medical Center.

“We at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center are honored to be an affiliate of the new Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River,” said Jarrett Stern, Vice President, Perioperative and Orthopedics Services at Westchester Medical Center. “We look forward to being a part of the camp’s Advisory Board and also to providing voluntary health care services while camp is in session. This will also be a wonderful opportunity for our doctors to see their patients outside of the hospital environment – singing songs, playing games, and just being kids.”

Final planning is underway to establish the new Sunrise Day Camp at the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in Pearl River, NY. Sitting on 95 acres of lush woods, the campgrounds boast grassy hills, open meadows, beautiful woods, a sparkling lake and a winding stream near the New York-New Jersey border not far from the Tappan Zee Bridge. Facilities at the campgrounds include multiple sports fields and swimming pools, plus an amphitheater.

“After many years of working successfully with the Friedberg JCC on Long Island, we are very excited to expand our partnership to include the Rosenthal JCC and help bring the magic of Sunrise Day Camp to children with cancer in the northern communities,” said Lenny M. Silberman, CEO at Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds.

Thanks to a generous donation, the Rosenthal and Friedberg JCCs will convert an existing facility into the Billie and George Ross Cooler. This facility will serve as a “cooling center” where children can come inside from the heat to rest, as well as an indoor facility for hot day or rainy day activities. It will also house a Wellness Center, where the usual bumps and bruises can be given extra attention, and where campers’ medical status can be professionally monitored.

“We recognize that we live in an imperfect world, a world where unfortunately, children do suffer from cancer. Until we find a cure for cancer, we hope that Sunrise Day Camp will be there to help,” said George Ross. “These camps help heal young hearts and mend young souls through the injustice of physical illness.”

Recognizing the extraordinary financial demands that a child’s chronic illness can have on a family, Sunrise Day Camp is offered free of charge. The generosity of others, mostly private donations, have offset the costs of running the camp in Long Island and are expected to do so at Pearl River, as well. Sunrise Day Camp has also received some support from government grants and UJA-Federation of New York.

ABOUT THE ROSENTHAL JCC
The Rosenthal JCC is a place of belonging, caring and sharing – inspiring vibrant Jewish and community spirit, nurturing individual potential, respecting diversity and celebrating life. Across Northern Westchester, our exceptional social, recreational, educational and cultural programs and services promote experiential learning, teamwork, artistic and intellectual exploration, the love of Jewish tradition and Israel, and pure fun – while building enduring friendships and support networks. Programs include early childhood, summer camps, after-school programs, sport leagues, cultural events, Jewish learning opportunities, and services for special needs. The Rosenthal JCC is a proud beneficiary agency of the UJA-Federation of New York.

ABOUT THE FRIEDBERG JCC
The Friedberg JCC is the very pulse of Long Island’s South Shore Jewish community. It is an all encompassing facility, dedicated to providing and maintaining the spirit of Judaism and its values through the strengthening of Jewish family life and culture. The Friedberg JCC has been serving Long Island’s south shore community for over 50 years and provides social and educational programs, plus vitally needed services for individuals of all ages. It is where friends, neighbors and family come together to discover their Jewish identity, be themselves and just have fun. Located in Oceanside, New York, with centers in both Merrick and Long Beach, the JCC operates programs for new mothers/new babies, day care, nursery school, after school activities, summer camps, teen programs, adult activities, special needs programs, holiday events and cultural activities for all. These extensive and varied programs are reflective of the JCC’s compelling mission to create a dynamic, caring community that helps families, youth, the elderly and the disabled at all economic levels.

ABOUT THE HENRY KAUFMANN CAMPGROUNDS
The Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, an affiliate of UJA-Federation of New York, has been providing grounds and facilities to local Jewish Community Centers and YM-YWHAs throughout Metropolitan New York for 60 years. Established in 1952 and comprised of three locations, HKC serves more than 6000.  For more information about the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds visit our website at www.camphkc.org.