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community service

Service to the Community

August 24, 2021 by Tuan Anh Dang

Tuan Anh Dang, here with his mom Huong Giang Nguyen at Crabtree’s Kittle House shortly before receiving the Rotary’s Student Community Service Award and a Rotary Scholarship.  Photo by Grace Bennett/Inside Press

My first American role model was ‘Eric’–I met him when I was just 10 and he was a lanky 19-year-old studying at UCSB. Though he might be glossed over by some as just another college student, to my English as a Second Language (ESL) classmates and me, he became our guide to the outside world. Despite not having a single language in common (Spanish, Chinese, German, Vietnamese) among ourselves, Eric still somehow managed to teach us all English. Through Apples to Apples, he gave us a basic vocabulary (and uncontrollable laughter–the universal language) that we could build upon. While trying to help us integrate into the broader community, he created one right within that class. Even after the course ended, people in that class remained some of my closest friends after elementary school and throughout middle school. We kept in contact even after some of us had to return to our home countries.

I am not sure if Eric knew that he had just fostered a dozen children and made us all feel at home in this foreign country for the first time. Inspired by Eric, I strive to pay the favor forward to other immigrant children by teaching ESL classes at Neighbors Link. In their confused eyes, I see my younger self who was equally perplexed by this odd world. Unable to communicate, there is no doubt that these children are feeling alone amongst their peers, just as I did. 

Whenever I see this uncertain look in their eyes, it just drives me harder to help these children feel like a part of the community–not apart from it. Of all the children I tutor, eight-year-old Angel is the most difficult; yet he is the person I look forward to seeing every day. When he hurls books in frustration, I gently remind him, “These are the same words I once struggled with.” I want Angel to know that I will struggle through these words again for him.

In my sophomore year, as the Westchester County representative to Youth to Youth International, a youth leadership training camp, I learned leadership skills required to organize a community-based drug prevention program that focuses primarily on middle school and high school students. I met remarkable people with incredible stories of resilience as they fought their addictions to become coalition leaders. A common thread connecting their stories is the importance of communities in overcoming these substances, whether faith-based or a group of users struggling together. My peer leaders showed me the optimism and dedication it took to maintain a community in which everyone needed to believe the goal is achievable. This belief proved to be essential during a summer internship at our local New Castle United for Youth where I organized events with the goal of creating a support network that extends to all those who seek help in our town. 

Through high school, I learned how to be someone my brother can confide to about his mental health; how to be a teacher who the children in my English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) class can expect to not give up on them, even during the most difficult readings; and how to be a non-judgmental friend who can be turned to for advice with substance-problems. 

Through these experiences, I can say that trust is not a ‘thing,’ but an action. It is a vulnerable act of giving something one values, knowing that person will take good care of it like they always had. It is the highest honor someone can be given by their loved ones–no wonder my grandma emphasized its importance so much. Trust is not a one-way street. Just like how my parents, brother, students, and peers rely on me, I am sure that they will be there when I need them. Most importantly, I can trust myself to be trusted.

“Kə’myōōnədē”, the word that would not roll off my tongue when I first came to America has now become my favorite. Whether it is in school or in town, I look for communities everywhere. After all, they are what hold us together. 

Editor’s Note: Dang was honored on June 30th at Crabtree’s Kittle House with the Chappaqua Rotary Club’s Student Community Service Award; in addition, two-term Rotary president Eileen Gallagher–who received the Paul Harris service award the same day–presented Dang with a $1000 scholarship from the Rotary for his outstanding achievement and dedication to ‘Service above Self’.

Filed Under: Inside Thoughts Tagged With: Chappaqua, community day, community service, Crabtree's Kittle House, Eileen Gallagher, English as a Second Language, Essay, mentor, Mentorship, Neighbors Link, New Castle United for Youth, Rotary Club of Chappaqua, Tuan Anh Dang, Youth to Youth International

Chappaqua Rotary’s 2020 Student Community Service Awards

August 24, 2020 by Grace Bennett

Two exemplary Greeley students, Angelina Brunetto and Quinn Singer, were honored this summer at Crabtree’s Kittle House during the annual Chappaqua Rotary Club’s 2020 Student Community Service Awards.

Vedat Gashi, County Legislator representing District 4 and New Castle Town Board Member Lisa Katz each respectively presented the students with both accolades and certificates to recognize their service.

Angelina Brunetto volunteers extensively at the Veterans Hospital in Montrose she stated, “to gain experience in the healthcare industry while giving back to our heroes… Assisting in different departments, I interact with the veterans, and gain firsthand knowledge of the bravery and sacrifice they experienced while in Service and Active Duty… Through my volunteer work, I have grown more compassionate for Veterans, seniors, and those less fortunate.”

Quinn Singer has been a volunteer at many events for Draw for Paws, a not for profit named in honor and memory of Scarlett. Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue works with homeward bound of Mississippi to transport hundreds of puppies annually from kill shelters to their forever families. Quinn has also volunteered with Draw for Paws to expand pediatric cancer awareness. “This group was created by a young girl who battled brain cancer, and I wanted to help their cause,” said Quinn, who also helped with the not for profit’s efforts and services at local hospitals.

The 2020 Student Award was organized by Horace Greeley High School Guidance Counselor Rebecca Mullen. The award was given to honor Greeley Guidance Counselor Patrick Dougherty “who helped to keep the Community Service Recognition on track and procured applications for many years,” said Sandy Bueti, board member. Community recognition awards by the Rotary, such as these, are accorded to community members who most exemplify the Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self.”

Lavdie Maqedonci-Krasniqi

Incoming Rotary Club president Eileen Gallagher and fellow Rotarians also took the opportunity to thank and honor outgoing Rotary Club president Lavdie Maqedonci-Krasniqi for her service. ‘Lavdie’ thanked many well-wishers for their support during her Rotary tenure and for their support during a successful battle against cancer.

– Grace Bennett

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: Chappaqua Rotary, community service, Community Service Awards, Rotary Club, Service Above Self, Students

Best Reasons to Support Chappaqua’s Rotary Club

December 2, 2019 by The Inside Press

Courtesy of the Rotary of Chappaqua

1. Community Day

2. Pancake Breakfast

3. Blood Drives

4. “Ringing in the New Year” Celebration

5. High School Scholarships

6. Community Service Award

7. Members of all ages and backgrounds who believe in “Service Above Self”

8. Host to over 30 informative guest speakers a year from within the community and beyond

9. Contributions to charities and community members including SHARE, Fuller Center for Housing, Larson Brain Tumor Foundation, SPCA, Support Connection, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Wagon Road Camp, Evan’s Team, GraceNotes, Alex’s Team, and many more

10. Part of Rotary International, a global network of over 1.2 million people of action including neighbors, friends, leaders and problem solvers working to better our world

Please visit ‘Chappaqua Rotary Club’ on Facebook

Filed Under: Words & Wisdoms From Our Sponsors Tagged With: Blood Drives, community day, community service, Guest Speakers, Rotary Club, Rotary International, Rotary of Chappaqua, Scholarships

Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund’s Spelling Bee Raises More Than $20,000 and Delights Crowds

December 1, 2019 by The Inside Press

The Horace Greeley High School gym was packed on November 4th for the 10th Annual Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund Spelling Bee.  Spirits were high as students, teachers & administrators, families, and community members came together to share in this special event which was enjoyed by participants and spectators alike. More than 60 teams competed this year, not only to be the top spellers, but as contenders for best costume as well.  Ultimately, student team All the Buzz beat out the steep competition with the word EUONYMUS and claimed the 2019 championship title.  Organized by Horace Greeley High School’s SHARE (Students Have a Responsibility Everywhere) community service group, more than $20,000 was raised to benefit the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund which exists to make up “the difference” between the actual costs of college and all other financial resources available to students and their families. In the last 72 years, hundreds of Greeley students have been awarded need-based grants from the Fund helping to make college a reality for all Greeley graduates.

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: 10th Annual, community service, HGSF, Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, share, spelling bee

Chappaqua Garden Club, Sophie Odrich and Ann Herrero Honored by Rotary

March 7, 2016 by Inside Press

Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

The gifts of beautifying through gardening, and of community sharing, were celebrated during a warm and lively Rotary Club of Chappaqua Awards dinner and ceremony. The event took place this past Saturday at Crabtree’s Kittle House.

The Chappaqua Garden Club and Horace Greeley High School Senior Sophie Odrich received the Rotary’s Community Service Awards. Chappaqua’s Ann Herrero received the Rotary’s Paul Harris Award for “Service Above Self.”

Rotary president Don Roane, and Rotarians Edward Melvin, Eileen Gallagher and Executive Secretary Peter Davidson presented the awards, after which each of the award recipients received separate honors from: Westchester County Board of Legislators chair Mike Kaplowitz; State Assemblyman David Buchwald; and Robert Greenstein, Town of New Castle supervisor. State Senator Terence Murphy, who was not able to attend, sent his commendations as well.

In explaining the Rotary’s choice of the Chappaqua Garden Club, Melvin spoke to the Club’s Margaret Federici and Melanie Smith Klein, who had stepped up to accept the award on behalf of the club’s membership: “The idea of a garden, has always been important in the imagination, as a metaphor for human activity and as the cradle for creation, going all the way back to the original garden, the Garden of Eden.” The Chappaqua Garden Club’s members volunteer year round to beautify green spaces throughout New Castle; annual projects includes work at the 9/11 Memorial in Gedney Park and at the intersection of Route 120 and Hunts Lane. The Club received the County Legislators proclamation declaring March 6th, Chappaqua Garden Club Day.

Chappaqua Garden Club members
Community Service Award Honorees: Chappaqua Garden Club members
State Assemblyman David Buchwald (right) with the Chappaqua Garden Club's Club President Margaret Federici and Melanie Smith Klein
State Assemblyman David Buchwald (right) with the Chappaqua Garden Club’s Margaret Federici (left) and Melanie Smith Klein

Next, Eileen Gallagher explained the honor to Sophie Odrich for ‘Kittle Kares,’ a weekly effort packaging and delivering food from the Kittle House (following a Sunday brunch) to Neighbors Link Community Center in Mount Kisco. “It was started by Sophie’s sister, Natalie, approximately two and a half years ago. Sophie started helping her about one and a half years ago and has been doing it solo or with friends since then,”said Gallagher.

“The individuals at Neighbors Link look forward to an excellent Sunday dinner every week, as a result. Chef Jay and Mr. Crabtree have been enthusiastic helpers since the day of its inception. Jay estimates that nearly 2000 pounds of food have been donated since it started,” she added.

Kaplowitz proclaimed March 10th, Sophie Odrich Day in Westchester.

Sophie Odrich (right) with her parents Karen and Steven Sidel and friend Shail Highbloom who helped along with another friend, Gianina, with 'Kittle Kare' efforts.
Sophie Odrich (right) with her parents Karen and Steven Sidel and friend Shail Highbloom who helped along with another friend, Gianina, with ‘Kittle Kare’ efforts.
Sophie Odrich with New Castle Supervisor Robert Greenstein
Sophie Odrich with New Castle Supervisor Robert Greenstein

Finally, Peter Davidson, bestowed the Paul Harris Award on Ann Herrero, a 22 year Chappaqua resident and director of Financial Planning at Hudson Peak Wealth Advisors in Pleasantville. He cited her long time service to the Rotary in various roles, including vice president and president of the Club. “The Club wants to recognize her in appreciation of that and the outstanding job she has done in addition to her many other achievements in our community.” Those include service on the League of Women Voters, Chappaqua PTA and on the board for 16 years for the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program. And finally too, March 17th was proclaimed Ann Herrero Day by the County Legislators.

Ann Herrero (middle), Paul Harris Award recipient, with County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz (right) and his wife Jane, and friends.
Ann Herrero (middle), Paul Harris Award recipient, with County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz (right) and his wife Jane. To left of Ann, friends Nancy and Barrett Silver
Ann Herrero with Rotarian Peter Davidson
Ann Herrero with Rotarians Executive Secretary Peter Davidson (left) and President Don Roane
Ann Herrero with Eileen and Michael Gallagher
Ann Herrero with Eileen and Michael Gallagher
Sophie and her dad
Sophie and her dad
Rotarian Edward Melvin presenting the award to the Chappaqua Garden Club
Rotarian Edward Melvin presenting the award to the Chappaqua Garden Club
(L-R): Robert Greenstein, Majid Eshghi, Rosemary Eshghi, and David Buchwald.
(L-R): Robert Greenstein, Majid Eshghi, Rosemary Eshghi, and David Buchwald.
Theresa and Sandy Bueti and their daughter.
Theresa and Sandy Bueti and their daughter.
Patti and Eric Nicolaysen with the Chappaqua Garden Club's Melanie Smith Klein (right)
Patti and Eric Nicolaysen with the Chappaqua Garden Club’s Melanie Smith Klein (right)

Filed Under: New Castle News Tagged With: Chappaqua, Chappaqua Garden Club, Chappaqua Rotary, community, community service, Gardening, Inside Press, theinsidepress.com

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