theinsidepress.com

We are a community that doesn’t hesitate to help those in need or espouse a worthy cause. Here, a sampling of a host of ways to “get involved.”

Chappaqua Interfaith Council

Incorporated as a non-profit in 1981, the Chappaqua Interfaith Council is dedicated to providing opportunities for dialogue, learning, social interaction and public service–all motivated by shared core values such as love and a desire to help one’s neighbor, through faith in action. Among its activities is the annual Chappaqua Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and Dinner, held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This event pulls together hundreds of community members for worship and (free) shared food. For info, contact: Rev. Leigh Peizet, President, rredeemer@optonline.net

Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester

The BGCNW in Mount Kisco serves 1,700 boys and girls, ages 18 months to 18 years, in its preschool, after school mentoring and tutoring programs, robust swim program (including national champion Marlins) and summer camp. The Club has been ranked among the outstanding Clubs in the national network of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. bgcnw.com

Chappaqua AYSO

Provides youth soccer programs which enrich the lives of children 4-18 years of age. Coaches and referees are made up entirely of volunteers. chappaquaayso.org

Chappaqua Cares, Chappaqua Shares

Created by members of the Chappaqua community to connect philanthropic residents with Westchester-based organizations in need. Donations have been made to Make a Wish, The Guidance Center of Westchester, April’s Child, Ossining’s Children’s Center, Hoods that Help, and Hope’s Door.
chappaquacareschappaquashares.org

Chappaqua Children’s Workshop (CCW)

Before and after school educational programming geared to helping each child gain confidence, independence, and a positive self-image. Serves children from all three elementary schools: Grafflin, Roaring Brook and Westorchard (additional separate programs available for middle school students). ccwkids.org

Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF)

For 21 years, CSF has funded investments in our District for programs, technology, equipment and materials beyond the scope of the school budget. In doing so, CSF connects our educators’ creativity, imagination, and dedication with community support, engagement and investment. The result: CSF empowers our educators and improves the quality of education by making innovation possible in our schools for our children. Since 1993, CSF has raised more than $2.5 million and funded more than 250 educational grants investing in every subject area, classroom, grade and school in our district. chappaquaschoolfoundation.org

Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program

Founded in 1968, the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program is a unique three-year summer program for talented New York City students from under-resourced high schools. Twenty-two college-bound students come to Chappaqua every July to participate in challenging classes, afternoon activities and live with host families.
chappaquasummerscholarship.org

Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation

CELF works to promote awareness of the importance of sustainability education, and to help schools and school districts make sustainability part of daily education, through provision of consultation services for teachers, administrators, and students. celfeducation.org

Coalition for Youth

An advocacy group with members from 21 Chappaqua and New Castle-based organizations formed to support our community’s youth. Mission is to create a supportive and interconnected community for our youth and their families. Considers ways to work in concert to ensure that our young people grow, not just in intellect, but also in character, in social and emotional dimensions, and as contributors to a community that values, respect, tolerance, compassion and service to others.

Dawn’s Ray of Hope, Inc.

Established in May 2011 by the friends and family of Dawn Re, a longtime Chappaqua resident who lost her brave battle with cancer in February 2011, to continue Dawn’s legacy of raising money to aid in the fight against cancer. Various events, including our annual “Dusk to Dawn” softball tournament, raise funds donated to support cancer patients and the organizations that provide assistance to them. dawnsrayofhope.org

The Emergency Shelter Partnership

Provides food and shelter for those who need of a safe place to sleep during the coldest five months of the winter. We are a coalition of 16 interfaith congregations and other community groups. Each evening, from November through March, men and women in need of shelter assemble in Mount Kisco to be transported to the weekly host’s location.
emergencyshelterpartnership.org

Evan’s Team

Created by Chappaqua residents that use fun, creative and community based activities to tackle serious issues. Examples of these efforts include a 5K obstacle course on Westchester Medical Center’s campus, Golf, Tennis & Dodgeball event and a raffle for a convertible roadster. Money raised has funded an advocacy group to combat distracted driving (dorcs.org) and to create a Family & Friends Center for Westchester Medical Center ICU (Aug 15th ribbon cutting). evansteamny.com

The Food Bank for Westchester

The County’s emergency food distribution network; acquiring, warehousing and distributing approximately 14 tons of food a day–nearly 7.2 million pounds of food a year. Engages corporations, community groups, and individuals in projects that can positively impact the reality of daily living for thousands of Westchester residents. foodbankforwestchester.org

Friends of Greeley Theatre

Founded in 2008, as a means to support Greeley Theatre. Allows for purchasing of equipment and other necessities to produce three annual productions: the Fall Musical, the Winter Comedy, and the Spring Drama. FGT relies on “generous contributions” to subsidize enhancements and expand opportunities in drama, music, and other theatre-related arts. fgtheatre.org

Friends of Karen

Provides vital and comprehensive support, at no cost, to families in the New York Tri-State region who are caring for a child battling cancer or another life-threatening illness. We carefully match each family with one of our skillful social workers, who serves as their personal advocate. Friends of Karen has touched the lives of nearly 14,000 children.
friendsofkaren.org

Greeley Youth Lacrosse Association

Privately funded youth lacrosse organization whose mission is to provide girls and boys with programs that inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game. GYL strives to help players develop their skills in a safe and fun environment while placing higher value on sportsmanship and learning, rather than solely on winning. Coaches are made up entirely of volunteers, and dues cover equipment and uniform costs. greeleyyouthlacrosse.com

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC)

The HHREC brings the lessons learned from the Holocaust to thousands of students each year. Programs include the Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders, Distinguished Lecture Series, Survivor Legacy Education Project, Speakers’ Bureau programming and events at the Garden of Remembrance. hhrecny.org

The Honorable Tina Brozman Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research (Tina’s Wish)

Founded in 2008, Tina’s Wish honors the memory of Tina Brozman, who passed away in 2007 after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer. The organization is dedicated to funding groundbreaking scientific research for the early detection and prevention of the disease. tinaswish.org

Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund

Awards financial needs-based college grants for students who have a financial gap after all other loans, awards and family financial resources have been exhausted. The Grants Committee–composed of three to five Board Directors of the Fund, a HGHS vice-principal, a guidance counselor, and a Chappaqua Board of Education representative–reviews applications and announces decisions each July. Over 92% of all donations go directory to Horace Greeley students or alumni to help with the costs of college or higher education. hgsf.org Making Headway Foundation A non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to the care, comfort and cure of children with brain and spinal cord tumors. Donations accepted online through the foundation’s official website, and volunteer opportunities are also available. makingheadway.org

Mount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCCC)

MKCCC cares daily for 160 children, ages three months to 12 years of age in a modern, state-of-the-art facility, built in 2002. With over 20,000 square feet of living space, the Center features growth and learning opportunities for every child in a cozy setting with the warmth and security of home. In addition, our 7,500 square feet of outdoor play space is perfect for everything from picnics to gardening. The Family Services of Westchester program, My Second Home, is also located within our center. We provide high quality, affordable childcare and early education to a diverse group of children in a safe, healthy environment. mkccc.org.

Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry

A grass-roots alliance of 13 faith-based community organizations, The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry offers weekly distributions, providing households with enough nutritious groceries for three days’ worth of complete meals. Home delivery is available for residents with a documented physical or mental disability. mountkiscofoodpantry.org

Neighbors Link

A community center providing critical education and employment opportunities for over 2,300 immigrant and working poor families in northern Westchester County each year. Mission: to strengthen the whole community by actively enhancing the healthy integration of immigrants. Offers programs for new immigrant individuals and families, involving longer-term residents in volunteer opportunities, and creating substantive partnerships with local organizations. neighborslink.org Swim Across America-Long Island Chapter Raises funds for cancer research, patient care and support via eight pool swims and one Open Water Swim in Westchester/Rockland. Register to swim/volunteer/donate:
swimacrossamerica.org/long_island.

Oak Lane Child Care Center

Year-round, full-day program founded in 1972 by a group of working parents from the Pleasantville Cottage School. The organization began as a community of families and staff working together to create the best environment for the children, and officially opened in Chappaqua in 1982. Oak Lane offers four classes in its Center. The Toddler classroom accommodates children who range in age from 18 months to 3 years. In three Pre-K classrooms–two for children between the ages of three and four, and one for children four-turning-five. Nutritious meal plan provided by our on-site chef. oaklaneccc.org

Renaissance Youth Center

The RYC in the South Bronx makes a difference in the lives of over 2000 students every week, transforming and guiding them through the obstacles of growing up in the inner-city, so they too can look to the future with hope and pride. We tutor, mentor, offer music, reading, science, dance, and sports programs, and most of all we teach our kids that their dreams for a successful and healthy future are within reach. renaissanceyouth.org

Rosenthal JCC of Northern Westchester

For over 35 years, the Rosenthal JCC of Northern Westchester has been a place of belonging, caring and sharing–inspiring Jewish and community spirit, nurturing individual potential, and respecting diversity. Offers early childhood preschool, summer camps, after-school programs, cultural events, teen leadership, special needs services, and volunteer opps for older adults. rosenthaljcc.org

SPCA of Westchester

Only humane society in the county empowered to enforce laws relating to animal cruelty. Current programs include shelter services, animal rescue, pet therapy, educational outreach, low-cost veterinary care. A proud “no-kill shelter,” SPCA is open 7 days a week. Come in and adopt an animal today! spca914.org

Team Amy

The Amy Marie Crabtree Foundation was founded to honor the memory of Amy’s life and her natural philosophy which she lived each and every day with energy and purity, and which can be held as an inspirational example for all men and women as a guide through a life of integrity, strength, and compassion. Provides support and financial assistance to community initiatives that will benefit the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the unfortunate in order to create a better life for us all. teamamyfoundation.org

Westchester Youth Soccer League

Committed to fostering the physical, mental and emotional character development of youth by providing safe, fair and competitive playing opportunities for each of the players. League sponsors Fall and Spring seasonal travel soccer for its members, including a mini-season for High School students in November. wyslsoccer.org