volunteer

The Best Volunteer Opportunities: Where to Lend a Hand Locally in 2020

December 1, 2019 by The Inside Press

COURTESY OF (914) CARES

Planning on making a New Year’s Resolution to give back to your community? Have a teen who would like to volunteer? We sat down with (914) Cares’ CEO, Jessica Reinmann to put together a list of the top 10 volunteer opportunities in Northern Westchester.

1. Kids’ Kloset – Pack a “Bag of Love” for a child in need.

Kids’ Kloset provides underserved Westchester County children with donated clothing, books and related items. For more information, go to www.914cares.org/kids-kloset.

2. Baby Bank – Stock the shelves with donated baby items.

Baby Bank provides basic necessities and essentials for babies, 0-2. The mission is to help local families in need keep their babies clean, healthy and happy. For more information, go to www.914cares.org/baby-bank.

3. Coachman Family Center – Host a holiday celebration for children.

Located in White Plains, the Coachman Family center has over 60 homeless children in their youth program at any given time. Create a fun-filled afternoon with food, activities and games. For additional information, contact angela.damore@westhab.org.

4. Neighbors Link – Cook dinner for Family Night.

Neighbors Link’s mission is to strengthen the whole community through the healthy integration of immigrants. Every other Friday, an evening workshop is offered to Neighbors Link families and a buffet dinner is needed. For more information, please contact mpalomino@neighborslink.org.

5. DonationDrives – Collect urgently needed items.

DonationDrives helps individuals and groups coordinate and manage collection drives for those in need. For more information, go to www.914cares.org/donate-things.

6. JCY-Westchester – Read to a child.

Help kids become life-long readers at one of the 26 programs run by JCY-Westchester Community Partners. Programs are run during the school day, right after school and over the summer. For more information, please contact mfinesmith@jcy.com.

7. Ossining Schools – Sort donated books.

The Ossining School District is committed to making sure every student has access to books at home. Sort through donated books so we can help create these home libraries. For more information, please contact info@914cares.org.

8. #FilltheVan – Help gather diapers and wipes for babies in need.

#FilltheVan is a community-wide diaper and wipe drive that helps struggling families. Participants will receive flyers, program brochures and collection boxes and on February 14th, we will pick up all of the collected donations. For more information, please go to www.914cares.org.

9. Cottage School – Host a Lunch Bunch.

The Cottage School helps abused, neglected and traumatized children heal physically and emotionally through compassionate, quality care. Lunch bunch occurs once a month, during the week for adults and on the weekends for teens. For more information, please contact rosenthals@jccany.org.

10. Volunteer at your local Food Pantry.

21% of Westchester residents are food insecure and your local food pantry provides essentials to those in need. For more information, please contact your local food pantry or send an email to info@914cares.org.

New Castle Town Hall Advisory Boards & Volunteer Opportunities

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

The modest building across from the Chappaqua Library on Greeley Avenue is the long-time home of Chappaqua’s Town Hall where multiple departments work to make New Castle a safe, welcoming and smooth running home. The town encourages residents to take full advantage of its services and opportunities–and to become an actively involved citizen too.

The New Castle Town Board is comprised of the Supervisor and four town board members. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, while informal work session meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays. The Town Board adopts and amends local laws regulating the town governance, controls the use of all Town property–except that directly supervised by the Recreation Commission–adopts the annual Town Budget–establishes the tax levy for General, Highway and related funds, and much more.

The Town Administrator oversees the Town’s day-to-day operations and recommendations on personnel matters and prepares the tentative budget for presentation to the Town Board. The Town Administrator is responsible for implementing policy adopted by the Town Board and provides advice and assistance to the Town Board as requested. For complete info about New Castle Town Hall, visit mynewcastle.org.

Opportunities for Seniors

New Castle is proud to note that many residents remain in the community long after the kids have ‘grown and flown.’ The Recreation and Parks Department oversees senior programming to help promote and enhance the quality of life of adults 60 years and over living in the community. Recreation programs, fitness classes and a comprehensive array of supportive services are offered regularly, and encourage both continued independence and involvement in community life. Popular classes at the New Castle Senior Center on Senter Street include artistic pursuits like Watercolor & Drawing and Passport to Active Living daily workouts. Games such as Bridge, Mah Jongg and Poker are another great way to socialize and have fun, and all ability levels are welcome. Music-loving seniors appreciate the free Open Rehearsals of the Chappaqua Orchestra. Lectures, also free, cover topics as far-ranging as classical music to health and fitness. There is even a weekly Pizza ‘n Cinema meet-up featuring vintage and classic films. Senior transportation is available and affordable, and the Senior Watch, a voluntary program open to all, offers peace of mind to those who may not have family or friends available on a regular basis. Further information including the Senter Street Spotlight bi-monthly newsletter: mynewcastle.org/170/Senior-Programs

New Castle Town Camps

Summer is everyone’s favorite season. Longer days, sunshine and warmth, and lots of great outdoor activities make for very happy campers–figuratively, but also literally. New Castle Town Camps are the very definition of happy kid campers. Open to all town recreation residents, there are camp groups for all ages: Tot Camp, designed with young three to five year old children in mind, offers half-day enrollment. Camp Adventure, loaded with fun activities for first through fourth graders, meets at Bell Middle School but includes off-site activities like field trips as well. On-the-Go Camp, for fifth through eighth graders, offers exciting daily excursions to all kinds of kid-approved fun destinations; and the C.I.T program for ninth and tenth graders prepares young teens to move from camper to counselor. There is also a Summer at the Art Center camp for children aged four through seven with a special interest in art. mynewcastle.org/173/Summer-Day-Camps

Recreation and Parks

The Recreation and Parks Department in New Castle is proud to offer something for everyone. Offerings include the finest art workshops in Westchester County along with a wide range of children’s programs from infants to toddlers and preschoolers, as well as a very successful dance program. Looking for camp? The town has a variety of Summer Camps per above for children ages 4 through 8th grade and also Specialty Camps such as Soccer, Lacrosse and Basketball.

Annual events include the adorable Halloween Ragamuffin Parade, a free Fishing Derby and a very challenging 10K & 5K Road Race which traverses the hilly terrain of New Castle. In cooperation with the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, residents enjoy a series of summer concerts at Recreation Field. There are also a fair share of youth sports here in town as well; youth athletic programs include Baseball/Softball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Wrestling and Basketball.

For more info, call 914-238-3909 or visit mynewcastle.org

Volunteering for New Castle

New Castle offers many volunteering opportunities for residents to share their time and skills. The volunteer options allow residents to play an active role in developing town policies, events, and programs. Here are ways to get involved in helping make New Castle the best it can be:

Every Person is Connected

EPIC promotes the inclusion of community members with disabilities through implementing programs, advising the town board, and developing opportunities for those with special needs. The board informs residents with disabilities on the town’s recreational, educational, and social opportunities, and aims to improve their quality of life. Contact: EPIC@mynewcastle.org

Arts & Culture Committee

This committee supports the growth of the arts in New Castle through promoting and proposing events and programming, such as art exhibits, music, dance, theater, and film. The organization meets twice a month and collaborates with the town and third parties to enhance the community’s events and programs dedicated to the arts. NCACC members also research arts programming of interest in neighboring communities and gather feedback on past and future events. Contact: arts@mynewcastle.org

Beautification Board

The board supports and develops programming that enhances the appearance of New Castle, often collaborating with the Parks and Recreation Department. The Beautification Board sponsors the annual Clean-Up Day in April as well as the “Adopt a Bench” program, which commemorates loved ones and special events. Board members also choose holiday lights and décor for the downtown area during wintertime. Contact: BAB@mynewcastle.org

Community Preparedness Committee

The committee facilitates emergency preparedness for severe weather conditions and power outages. Members advise the town board, educate residents on preparing their homes for emergencies, and coordinate volunteer neighborhood emergency teams. Contact: prepare@mynewcastle.org

Health and Wellness Task Force

Health and wellness are high priorities for the citizens of the Town of New Castle. This committee provides the community with educational resources about public health matters and providing support on a wide variety of health and wellness matters.

New Castle for Inclusion & Diversity Committee

The committee promotes the town’s inclusion and diversity goals through programming in New Castle. To create community awareness about differences in others and encourage respect for these qualities, the organization hosts fundraising events and community celebration. It published a book list (prepared by the Chappaqua Library) which celebrates diversity. Contact: inclusion@mynewcastle.org

New Castle Conservation Board

Studies and advises the Town Board and other Town departments, boards and commissions on developing sound open space planning and assuring preservation of natural and scenic resources within the Town of New Castle. For more information, please contact Dennis Corelli, Town’s Environmental Coordinator at dcorelli@mynewcastle.org

Sustainability Advisory Board

This board’s many tasks include waste management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and educating residents. A committee advises the board on local construction projects to promote more sustainable practices. Visit www.newcastlesab.org/

Finally, Friends of ChappPac is also a new and vital board supporting the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.

For more information about any New Castle advisory board, please visit www.mynewcastle.org/250/Boards-Commissions

Sustainability in Action

The Take It Or Leave It Shed

The shed was first opened over a decade ago by volunteers and the Department of Public Works. Located behind the Shell station on South Greeley Avenue, the Take it or Leave it Shed is open May through October on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon to coincide with the outdoor season of the Chappaqua Farmer’s Market.

You never know what you’ll find at the shed, but it is guaranteed to be free.

Only New Castle residents can donate to the shed (ID is required) but residents and non-residents are allowed to reap the benefits of the items left behind. Items must be dropped off before 11:30 a.m., and there is a maximum of two carloads of items per family per week, so don’t be tempted to use the shed as your own personal dumpster!

For more information and a list of acceptable items for the shed, visit www.mynewcastle.org or call the Department of Public Works at (914) 238-3968.

Reusable Bag Law

In 2017, New Castle showed the world that every day is earth day when the Reusable Bag Law was officially passed. New Castle became the first town in New York State to adopt a ban/fee hybrid bag law. Under the legislation championed by the New Castle Sustainability Advisory Board, the law eliminates distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags at all stores and requires a 10-cent charge for paper shopping bags at the types of stores that use the most bags–grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies.

Every week New Castle saves tens of thousands of bags from entering our waterways and food stream, and littering our parks and roads. This initiative has been so successful that it has served as a model for other Westchester towns seeking to pass similar laws. For more information about this and to see how the Advisory Board is working on changing state and county-wide laws on this issue, visit mynewcastle.org or SAB@mynewcastle.org.

The Electric Ride

The Town of New Castle was named the first small community in Westchester County to be designated a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. A $100,000 grant to the town was used to purchase an electric shuttle which connects Chappaqua Crossing with the Chappaqua Train Station.

Information: Courtesy of The Town of New Castle

2019 Citizen and Organization of the Year

April 18, 2019 by The Inside Press

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARMONK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Armonk Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2019 Citizen and Organization of the Year. The recipients were selected due to their long-term volunteer commitment to help improve the North Castle Community. The Chamber pointed out that this year’s honorees “have gone above and beyond for the good of the Byram Hills School District.”

· Ira Schulman is the District’s longest serving school board member, who has also served in other local leadership and board positions.

· The Byram Hills Education Foundation, selected as Organization of the Year, is celebrating 25 successful years of providing grants to the District, totaling $4.6 million.

The Chamber stated they will celebrate “these local champions” at the annual Citizen of the Year Golf Outing and Dinner. This year, it will take place on Tuesday, May 14 at the Whippoorwill Club in Armonk. The public is invited to attend and may register at armonkchamberofcommerce.com.

Armonk Beautification Committee; Behind the Scenery

April 21, 2018 by Ella Ilan

If you feel a sense of pride as you drive through town and notice the flowers in the spring, the attractive street signs or tasteful holiday decorations, you can thank the Armonk Beautification Committee. This committee is made up of dedicated volunteers appointed by the North Castle Town Board. They meet once a month to propose ideas and facilitate projects in partnership with town authorities regarding landscaping and the beautification of Armonk, Banksville and North White Plains. Carol Bidjarano, the committee chairwoman, says “We are a great cast of characters. We do everything as one. Everyone brings something else to the table and we have a lot of fun.”

A Multitude of Projects

Typical annual projects undertaken by the committee include the hanging flowering baskets adorning Main Street, the barrels of flowers at various traffic islands, and the flags that fly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Every year, the town is spruced up for the holidays with wreaths on the light poles, snowflakes suspended over Wampus Brook Park and the North White Plains Community Center, and the holiday tree in the gazebo. The committee works with a budget allotted to them by the town board. Once the routine annual projects are paid for, any remaining money is put towards more extensive projects that are phased in over time.

The new street signs in town with an eagle atop them were one of those projects. “It took a while to get the street signs up and the town supervisor got positive feedback from people…It’s a good feeling when you work on something behind the scenes and people compliment it without even knowing you worked on it. I feel proud when I go through town and see those signs,” reflects Ms. Bidjarano.

A Town Clock Tops the Wish List

The committee’s current wish list of projects includes erecting a town clock similar to those in neighboring towns, more “Welcome to the Hamlet of…” signs at all points of ingress into the towns, more flowering trees on the traffic island by Route 120 heading towards Chappaqua, and updating the trash containers in town. The town clock would be one of the more expensive items, costing anywhere from $12,000 and up. Funding and support from the community could make such an endeavor a reality. Donor names could be memorialized on a plaque located on the clock.

A Dire Need for Volunteers

The committee would also love to attract new members as the group could benefit from some fresh ideas. It currently has six voting members. Ideally, they prefer to have an odd number of members so that they can avoid a tie. Nancy Battistelli, the North White Plains subcommittee chairwoman says, “The town needs more people taking an interest. No one seems to have any time with their hectic schedules.”

The North White Plains committee did not have their annual holiday party and tree lighting ceremony this year due to the hardship involved for the few older committee members who did not have enough personnel. They quickly learned that their past efforts were appreciated when many young families expressed their disappointment since they had been looking forward to this family event. Upon discovering that the beautification committee needed help organizing the event, several young community members pledged to get involved and help organize the holiday festivities next year.

Despite the various challenges, these devoted volunteers get the job done and manage to make Armonk, Banksville and North White Plains look beautiful. The one thing that is clear is that it takes a village. The committee welcomes anyone that would like to attend a monthly meeting and get involved. Additional information about the committee including wish lists and donations can be found at www.northcastleny/beautification-committee.

With the Pinwheel Project, an Armonk Resident Devotes Herself to Helping Others

December 1, 2017 by Lindsay Hand

Pinwheel Project founder Sandee Martensen with a nurse and her pinwheel cart
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PINWHEEL PROJECT

When Sandee Martensen started volunteering at Westchester Medical Center 15 years ago, she had no idea how drastically it would change her life. An Armonk resident for almost 27 years, Martensen started the nonprofit Pinwheel Project in 2002 to provide support and comfort to children and families in the hospital during a pediatric hospital stay. After a few years volunteering in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Westchester Medical, Martensen branched out and now volunteers at a children’s hospital in the Bronx and provides support at many children’s hospitals in the Greater New York Area. In Martensen’s words, the Pinwheel Project, now equipped with a staff and volunteers, is like “the fairy godmother in the hospital.”

How It All Began

During a volunteer shift at Westchester Medical, Martensen offered to get a cup of tea for a mother sitting with her sick son. The mother was extremely grateful, and Martensen realized that this was exactly what she wanted to do, and how much it meant to parents of ill children. She soon found herself bringing tea and coffee to other families, eventually bringing a volunteer cart from room to room in the hospital with drinks and snacks she brought. She happened to see pinwheels at a supermarket, thought they would be fun to put on the cart, and the rest is history.

Martensen immediately fell in love with the work, noticing how necessary these small gestures of kindness and small bits of love were to these families. Working with sick children is not easy, especially when there is a terminal illness involved, but Martensen truly found her calling. “God gave me the grace somehow to be able to deal with it,” she says, “and to let these parents know that their child mattered, that they would not be forgotten, and that somebody cared about them and their family.” The organization focuses on quality of life for these children; Martensen realized that no matter how serious the illness, children need to simply keep smiling. “I’m a big believer in if you keep the spirit up, you have a much better shot at recovery,” she explains. “I can’t cure them, I can only try to make whatever time they have as wonderful as it can possibly [be].”

Bringing “A Little Sunshine”

The Pinwheel Project cart has become “Willy Wonka on wheels” and “transcends all languages, all cultures.” Martensen sees this as a different kind of medicine, and really takes advantage of the opportunity to get to know the kids and their families and do all she can to provide love, support, and comfort to them, no matter how long their hospital stay. For longer stays, the kids are often trapped in a plain white room for extended periods of time; to make this a little less dreary, Martensen started another program within the Pinwheel Project called My Comfort Zone. This program gives kids a budget and allows them to pick out room décor on Amazon, from sheets and blankets to toys and themed decorations, and then has the objects sent straight to the hospital – allowing the program to work anywhere, not just locally.

The Pinwheel Project also provides meal vouchers for services like GrubHub so children who don’t like hospital food but need the calories can eat in addition to birthday supplies and small requests like special necklaces or hats. “When there’s a perceived need, we’re right there to fill it,” explains Martensen. Martensen knows that people want to help and has created a mechanism whereby individuals can make donations and sponsor a child. Hospitals are scary places, and Martensen notes that “we have to put the humanity back into it.” And that’s exactly what she’s doing. Moving into the future, Martensen hopes to expand programming to an extent, while still maintaining a personal level of support.

Martensen pours so much love and passion into what she does, and it does not go unappreciated. She meets these families at what is often the worst, most traumatic time in their lives, and their response to what she does for them has been remarkable. “I get so much love back from them,” she says. “I get so much kindness and so much gratitude.” She has dozens of incredible stories about the joy she has been able to bring to children during such dark times in their lives, from sending a 19-year-old skydiving to decorating a room in a Hawaiian theme. She simply loves what she does, and loves knowing how much it helps people. “It’s 15 years now and I’m still excited every time I walk in,” she explains. “For me, this is where I’m supposed to be. I know that.”

For more information about this nonprofit, visit www.thepinwheelproject.org. Volunteers with special skills such as jewelry making or puppetry are especially needed.