Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester
The 9th Annual Great Chappaqua Bake Sale is definitely one for the books as the “rolling pin” was passed down to a new generation of leaders. This year’s effort was driven by a new generation of bake sale leaders: Rebecca Blum (age 13), Charlotte Spiegel (age 14) and Sophia Spiegel (age 14) whose mothers previously ran the bake sale.
The group raised more than $17,700 to help feed hungry children in New York during the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.
By Janie Rosman
It was a slam dunk when the Harlem Wizards took on all-star teams of teachers from Coman Hill, Wampus and H.C. Crittenden last September, dazzling and entertaining with tricks and humorous interactive games thanks to the Byram Hills Education Foundation (BHEF).
The basketball spectacular and the spring gala are BHEF’s two annual fundraising events. Save the date, March 23, for this year’s gala, which takes place at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase.
Since its formation in 1994, BHEF raised more than $4 million for more than 349 grants impacting more than 6,000 local students, thanks to the generosity and support from families, local businesses and the Armonk Chamber of Commerce and two annual fundraising events.
Its financial support to the district enables teacher and administrators to introduce creative programs and equipment beyond what is covered within the district’s annual operating budget.
“One of my goals is to make people more aware of the BHEF and the integral part it plays in our school district,” emphasized Shari Fruhling, President, BHEF.
Last September, BHEF introduced a free wellness movie series hosted at the high school. The first, Screenagers, a 2016 documentary about growing up in the digital age, drew an audience of more than 300 students and parents, Fruhling said. Close to 200 people came out on a cold January night to see Angst, an hour-long film discussing and debunking misconceptions about and treatments for anxiety disorders.
“The films prompt discussions at home and at school the next day,” she said of the thought-provoking choices. A date for its third film, Finding Kind, 2001, about two friends traveling across the United States to expose truth about girl-on-girl crime, is tentatively scheduled for mid-April.
Fruhling said this year’s grant, the Wellness Initiative, “focuses on the wellness of the whole student, mind and body and impacts all four schools with a designated Indoor Creative Play space, an outdoor Obstacle Course for the elementary schools; a space for yoga, meditation and relaxation in the middle school and a lounge space for the high school.”
“These are supported by a Stanford Survey to determine stress levels and create a comprehensive and impactful way of managing and mitigating stress on our student population. The BHEF is proud to be a part of this groundbreaking change in education,” she said.
Byram Hills CSD Superintendent Jen Lamia called BHEF “integral in our district’s history and future. “In the past five years alone, the BHEF has supported projects to revitalize our libraries into 21st century learning spaces, provided 1:1 technology for all students and is now undertaking a K-12 Wellness Initiative to benefit all students.”
BHEF’s support “means that every child in every school is provided with every opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive,” Lamia said. Fruhling noted, “There are so many grants the BHEF has funded that parents sometimes don’t realize that they are not part of the district’s budget.”
These include SMARTboards, Chromebooks and Library 2.0 and, most recently the motivational speaker Shaun Derik for this past Byram Hills High School’s Wellness Day.
Two annual events–the fall Harlem Wizards’ dazzling and entertaining basketball court show and the spring fundraiser–celebrate and raise support for education.
Money raised for the spring event journal will also go toward funding the grants. Tickets are available until March 23; for information, www.byramhillsfoundation.org.
Janie Rosman is a freelance writer and editor whose work appears in local and regional publications. She chronicles the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project at Kaleidoscope Eyes
There is nothing that gives parents more pleasure than the well-being of their children. And when a community rallies around to support all children, magic can happen! The Byram Hills Education Foundation (BHEF) is an outstanding example of this very alchemy.
Created in 1994 by parents, faculty and community leaders, the BHEF crafted a mission statement “to enhance the educational experience of all children within the Byram Hills Central School District (BHCSD) by generating community support to fund innovative grants that encourage learning and personal development.”
This mission is as focused and strong today as it was at its inception. The BHEF Board consists of 35 dedicated all-volunteer members: four teachers (one from each school), the BHCSD Superintendent, two Board of Education members, one PTSA member, eight district representatives and the remainder made up of parents of current students and alumni. This group comes together to discuss and make final decisions regarding grant proposals, takes the lead in raising funds to support the proposed initiatives, and maintains an on-going supportive relationship with BHCSD administration and Board of Education.
The start of the school year also marks the beginning of the annual grant-cycle. A subset of the Board, the Grant Review Committee, meets to review all teacher-submitted applications. After thorough discussion, finalists are presented to the full Board for a vote. The awarded grant is often part of a long-term plan of action, with expected implementation over a two-year period.
Additionally, the BHEF supports a monthly grant opportunity known as Insta-Grant. This forward-thinking option provides teachers with up-to-the-minute flexibility for quick projects and initiatives; Insta-Grants may not exceed $2500 and must be used within six months or before the end of the academic year.
Recently, annual grants have revolved around technology: 2012/13 laid the groundwork for digital programming, 2014/15 saw One-to-One mobile learning which provided Chrome books for district students, 2015/16 expanded earlier tech initiatives with Full STEAM Ahead!, and this year’s awards include Fall’s Reinvention of the Library Experience at Coman Hill, Wampus and H.C. Crittenden MS as well as Spring’s recent approval for two BHHS grants: Professional Development for Global Competency Initiative, plus TV and FILM Curtained Production Area with Cyclorama: a curved green screen wall and lighting system.
Also worth noting: The Debra Leipman Yale Memorial Fund (DLYMF) was established with the Yale family as a meaningful way to honor the life and memory of devoted wife, loving mother and five-year Board Member (including two years as Chair) Debra Leipman Yale. Contributions to this fund are used towards future grants, with the Yale family working in collaboration with the BHEF to select and approve a grant in honor of Debra.
As Debra was passionate about the foundation and its cause, this fund offers Yale family members and friends a meaningful memorial.
*For full details, please see the BHEF website.
The BHEF takes a three-part approach towards raising the funds that help to support and sustain the innovative programming for which the Byram Hills Central School District is renowned.
There is a fall “annual appeal” mailing to all community members. In recent years, this appeal has added the opportunity to allow for “directed giving.”
According to former BHEF president and current Board Member Leslie Ilany, “Donors want to designate where their donations go; having a choice greatly appealed to the community.” With a goal of 100% participation, the foundation proudly notes that so many step up to contribute. Another popular fundraiser is the annual fall visit of the Harlem Wizards; this event particularly appeals to young families and tickets often sell out within hours.
Finally, there is the annual Spring Gala, a fun-filled evening featuring highly anticipated auction items as well as giving opportunities. This year’s recent gala, held at Brae Burn Country Club in nearby Purchase, was a smashing success. Honoring both retiring and beloved School Superintendent Dr. William Donohue and H.C. Crittenden’s Dr. H. Evan Powderly, the community turned out in force. Close to 300 people joined together to celebrate and support the foundation’s important work.
The BHEF welcomes all community members to get involved. Says Ilany, “Getting involved offers so many opportunities; the chance to meet many wonderful people–teachers, administrators and other parents. I hope this article helps spur others to take advantage of a great and meaningful experience.”
By Pamela Brown
Paula Barbag is a whirlwind of energy and tireless dedication to reaching her full potential while helping others. “I believe you’ll achieve the most success, personally and professionally, if you follow your passion, remain true to yourself, and be all that you can be,” said Paula, a Chappaqua resident who uses that motto to help nonprofit organizations discover their strengths and establish their vision. As Founder and President of Consulting For A Cause, Paula works collaboratively with nonprofits to encourage them to embrace growth and also to obtain their goals.
“I have a passion for the mission of nonprofits and the intrinsic reward and benefits of working with dedicated, hardworking employees,” she said. Paula has recently taken on a new role as Director of Major Gifts at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, which is now part of the Montefiore Health System. She will be cultivating and soliciting major and planned gifts from individuals. When her schedule allows, Paula will assume a new role with Consulting For A Cause. In addition to teaching, she will continue to providing consulting services on a limited basis, and collaborate with her network of accomplished fundraising and organizational development professionals, to deliver quality services.
After 10 years in the corporate world, Paula enjoyed a thriving 23-year career at Richmond Community Services, where she served in various roles, including Human Resources Director, Special Projects Director, which focused on organizational development, and Director of Marketing & Development. After that time, she knew the time was right to pursue a new challenge. “It was a long, difficult decision,” said Paula who went back to school to pursue her master’s in fundraising management, volunteered at local organizations, and researched the growing needs of the nonprofit industry, finding that the unmet need of nonprofits was a business approach to fund development.
In 2008, Paula became a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), and in 2012, founded Consulting For A Cause, a results-oriented, boutique firm specializing in fundraising and organizational development for start-ups to fully-accomplished nonprofits and businesses. Its services include: fundraising counsel, major gift and capital campaigns, business development; strategic planning and analysis; education and training; board development and executive search. Some of the clients she has worked with include the Garrison Institute, Food Bank for Westchester, Rye Arts Center, Community Center of Northern Westchester, Stop Stigma Now, Latino U College Access, and the New Westchester Symphony Orchestra. Recently, Paula has begun working with a for-profit, providing outplacement counseling services.
Knowledgeable and experienced, Paula and her staff take pride in their professionalism and outstanding business practices. “Consulting For A Cause is guided by high ethical standards, integrity, and commitment to excellence. I can be trusted to deliver what’s promised,” said Paula who earned a Masters of Fundraising Management degree from Columbia University, an MBA in Personnel and Industrial Relations degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a Professional Certificate in Philanthropy and Fundraising from New York University.
In 2013, the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce recognized the firm’s contributions to the industry with the New Business of the Year award, and in March of 2015, Paula received the Peter J. Gallagher Award for Leadership and Service from the Association of Development Officers (ADO). “Paula is a sincere, giving, and compassionate person, exemplifying outstanding community spirit and service. She has a passion for the nonprofit industry, their causes and their missions, and decades of experience and knowledge of the nonprofit and fundraising industry, plus she’s provided long-time personal community service to many nonprofits,” said Lydia Howie, former director of ADO. Paula is a former president of ADO and served as a member of its board of directors.
“I devoted 15 years of time and effort as a board member to a professional association that helped me grow professionally and eased my transition from human resources to fundraising,” she said. Paula is also a member of the Business Council of Westchester, Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Grant Writers Association of the Hudson Valley.
Paula has been married to her husband, David, for 30 years. They have three children: Erica, 20; Alexis, 23; and Scott, 25. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, entertaining, traveling, taking walks with her husband and dog in local parks, exercising, and pampering herself and her daughters. “Keeping priorities in order are essential. I must take care of my mind, body and soul first, because if I don’t take care of myself I can’t be a good wife, mother, business woman, sister, or friend,” she said.
Since becoming a CFRE, Paula has obtained a wealth of information as she’s taken on demanding projects for a wide spectrum of clients. The firm’s most exciting project has been CHOICE of New Rochelle. “Consulting For A Cause raised over 25,000 for the agency’s art program through partnering with Charles Fazzino, world-renowned artist that has its headquarters in New Rochelle. Charles championed the art program and held annual art fundraisers,” Paula explained. She’s found immense satisfaction seeing the positive results of working collaboratively with nonprofits to advance their mission. “I’m most proud of making it through three years of growth, personally and professionally, and having the courage to pause in 2015 to scale down my business to obtain a clearer vision of what success will look like for me and Consulting For A Cause.
To add to her already-busy schedule, currently, Paula is a teaching assistant at Columbia University and serves on the board of directors of a women’s empowerment organization, POWHERNY, an exclusive statewide network committed to securing economic equality for all New York women, and is a member of the Nonprofit Leadership Summit committee. Her summer will focus on her new job at Burke, writing her own strategic growth plan and developing educational programs for nonprofits (or businesses) to develop their own plans while guided by her goal of striving to lead a full, meaningful, and balanced life.
Paula will be presenting at the Nonprofit Leadership Summit sponsored by United Way of Westchester and Putnam, on Monday, May 2nd, on the topic of Benefit Corporations.
For more information on Consulting for a Cause, visit consultingforacause.com
Student Athletes Raise $16,500 for Local Pediatric Cancer Charities
The second annual Horace Greeley All-Athlete Walkathon was held at the high school’s competition field on Sunday, November 8, 2015. Students from every sport rallied around two local foundations raising more than $16,000 with their fundraising efforts.
The two organizations teamed up for the event because their missions align around helping children with cancer. Hundreds of students, supporters and parents walked in solidarity during the two hour event to support Team G-The Gardner Marks Foundation and Making Headway Foundation, both of Chappaqua.
Team G-The Gardner Marks Foundation was created in memory of Gardner Marks (Greeley Class of ’08) a school athlete who lost his life due to complications from cancer treatment. This newly formed organization is devoted to raising money toward grants for cutting edge cancer/stem cell research.
Headquartered in Chappaqua, and now in its 20th year of operation, Making Headway Foundation was founded by Edward and Maya Manley with Clint Greenbaum. Its mission is to provide care and comfort for children with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research geared toward better treatments and a cure.
Both organizations have a common vision…to bring support and lifesaving treatments to kids battling cancer, and brain or spinal cord tumors.
Local merchants such as Villarina’s Deli, Elder’s Auto Spa, Chappaqua Mobil and Old Stone Trattoria sponsored the event with food and gift card donations for the participants. Donations are still being accepted at http://bitly.com/GreeleyWalk2015.
