In the heart of Northern Westchester, a unique organization is taking root- built on the values of tradition, community, family and giving back. The National Charity League (NCL) Northern Westchester Chapter is a mother-daughter nonprofit, focused on community service, leadership, and cultural experiences.
According to chapter founder and president, Amanda Hufnagel, “NCL represents a group of dedicated mothers and daughters who collectively want to help, assist, and improve our communities through volunteering”.
Hufnagel brought NCL to Northern Westchester in 2020. While living in Georgia, she witnessed the organization’s incredible impact. Being able to spend meaningful time with her daughters while providing support to her community felt unique and powerful. When her family moved to New York, the concepts behind NCL came with her, and the Northern Westchester Chapter was born.
But NCL has a century old legacy. Starting in California in 1925, “The Charity League” consisted of mothers who volunteered to craft layette baskets for the American Red Cross. Over time, groups of mothers and daughters worked together to offset the challenges of the Depression and World War II. In 1947, the organization officially became the National Charity League.
Today, NCL has over 300 chapters nationwide and is recognized as the original mother-daughter charity organization. According to Amy Diaz of Briarcliff Manor, “Volunteering with my daughter is a rewarding experience that… has strengthened our bond, models important values, and creates lasting memories”.
The Northern Westchester Chapter unites mothers and daughters from 7th to 12th grades across 10 school districts- including Chappaqua, Pleasantville, and Armonk. Chappaqua residents comprise their second-largest membership group. The chapter partners with 18 local and national organizations, allowing members to find what resonates most with them. Tenth grader Emmeline Alverson, of Katonah Lewisboro, shares, “NCL is a great place to interact with people outside of our circles…. It’s also a great opportunity to enter the world of volunteer work and help our community”.
In this past year, members have volunteered locally at the Draw for Paws table at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and organized a game night at the JCCA. They also collected over 7,000 books for their NCL MLK Book Drive, donating half of them to 914 Cares and the other half to a low-income middle school in New York City. Nationally, NCL supports the Alzheimer’s Association, Operation Gratitude, and the American Red Cross.
NCL requires mothers and daughters to complete 15 service hours of service yearly but always welcomes more engagement. “NCL has opened countless opportunities for me to contribute and make an impact across multiple organizations,” says Horace Greeley senior Talia Dessi.
Beyond service, NCL places value on tradition as well as cultural and leadership development. Randi Bergtraum, of Rye notes, “Not only do we give back alongside our daughters, but we have the opportunity to build community within the chapter and teach our daughters how to become leaders”. Two main events are the Fall Kickoff and the Traditional Spring Tea, where graduating seniors are honored.
Five years later, Hufnagel’s vision has turned into so much more than she ever expected. The traditions within NCL and the opportunities it offers have made a deeply impactful impression on both its volunteers and recipients. Hufnagel will be stepping down in the Spring- her youngest is graduating high school – but she is optimistic about a lasting legacy. “I hope my daughters have enjoyed their time at NCL and have developed a lifelong passion for community service”.
NCL President-Elect Allison Shaw, of Katonah Lewisboro, is enthusiastic about continuing the momentum, “It’s wonderful that NCL continues to grow and thrive, providing a wider outreach to the organizations we serve throughout Westchester.”
If you are inspired to join NCL, the next membership drive will open on January 15, 2026, and run through March 1, 2026. For more information, email membership at membershipnorthernwestchester@nclonline.org.
