I sent an email to area non-profits to let them know we are willing and able to help — here are some responses:
Pound Ridge Seniors (for 2012)
Here are the community service opportunities for Pound Ridge groups who want to help the Pound Ridge Seniors. Let me know ASAP if you want to reserve an occasion to help with.
Halloween luncheon October 18th – I need 18 centerpieces and maybe even goody bags for 80. Holiday luncheon on December 6th –I need 18 centerpieces. St Patrick’s Day lunch – in March 14th – need 18 centerpieces. Mad Hatters Tea in April – need 12-15 centerpieces
Contact: Louise Paolicelli, email paolijl2@verizon.net.
Bedford Audubon Society, www.bedfordaudubon.org
Thanks for thinking of us. We’d love to have your group of families come over to Bedford Audubon and help out some Sunday. What would be really fun I think is to help harvest our veggie garden. This past year we donated all the produce, over 200 lbs., to the Community Center, we plan to do the same this year. So kids and adults could help out one Sunday harvesting, and learning to harvest, and then taking it over to the Community Center. We also could do some easy assembly of pre-cut bluebird houses and even put them up another Sunday. We’ve been asked to do that at J. Jay Homestead, at Angle Fly Preserve, and other places. So those are two good projects for this spring summer, hope you like them. And once we start getting together, I’m sure many other fun projects will come to mind.
Friends of Karen, www.friendsofkaren.org
FaVoRS sounds simply fantastic!I just spoke to Denise since she is our major force behind all our amazing volunteers. She will give you a call or e-mail you with ideas she has for your group of volunteers this year! I look forward to seeing you soon! Email: denisetredwell@friendsofkaren.org
Westchester Land Trust, www.westchesterlandtrust.org
This is such a brilliant idea. I am sure there are activities in Lewisboro for families, one would be to monitor the Quest walk, which is entered from Route 121 north of Cross River. Bobbe has all the information and it is also described on the WLT website. Bobbe Stultz, Email: Bobbe@WestchesterLandTrust.org
Katonah Museum of Art, www.katonahmuseum.org
Your family volunteer help is such a fantastic idea & I love the thought of families helping and bonding together. I have forwarded your email to our volunteer coordinator and would love to come up with some ideas to send back to you. We’ll work on making the volunteer work creative, helpful and meaningful. Allison Chernow, Email: achernow@katonahmuseum.org
Support Connection, www.supportconnection.org
Thanks so much for including Support Connection in this new venture of yours! It sounds like an excellent opportunity for not-for-profits to connect with the community, and a great way for families to work together for good causes right in their backyards. That’s something we really like to do here at Support Connection. For example, for our annual Support-A-Walk for breast and ovarian cancer in October 2009, we had more than 300 volunteers involved, all ages. Many volunteers for that event work on projects that begin months in advance too. I’ve mentioned your project to our Community Outreach Coordinator Anne Corsano (cc’d on this email) because she’ll be the one to follow up with you. She’ll probably also speak with our Executive Director Katherine Quinn who is very involved with our special events and volunteers as well. Thanks again for including us!! Sounds like a great idea! Barbara Cervoni & Anne Corsano, Email: anne.corsano@supportconnection.org
Open Door Medical Centers, www.opendoormedical.org
What a wonderful idea! Open Door would love to be on your calendar for a book drive. We have expanded our literacy program we participate in called Reach Out and Read (www.reachoutandread.org) into our waiting areas. The expanded concept is to have adult and teenage volunteers spend time reading aloud (one-on-one when possible) to our young patients while they are waiting at Open Door and then provide them with a gently used book to take home. We are in constant need of picture books for young children, especially the chubby cardboard books. Families could collect gently used books and then sort by age. Ask families to think about the books they love to read together! (Please note that the program does not use religious or books that are sensitive in nature.) Alicia Ward, Email: AWARD@ood.org
Some other great organizations to consider:
AFYA Foundation, www.afyafoundation.org
Afya collects donations to send to developing countries in need or in crisis — most recently they have sent supplies and life-saving assitance to Haiti. Afya partners with a network of donor hospitals, health organizations, corporations, and individual households for the collection of medical supplies. The Afya Foundation depends on this sustaining advocate support. Afya has established a medical supply system tailored to the needs of its donation institutions. We have implemented a citywide strategy for this course of action and pick up medical supplies from hospitals, health care centers and individual’s homes. Weekly trips into New York City and surrounding areas result in the collection of supplies that will save lives abroad. The Afya warehouse in Yonkers is our location for temporary supply storage before shipment to developing countries. All medical materials are sent within one month of their collection. The unceasing demand from the international community necessitates a steady flow of domestic donations to Afya. If you are interested in volunteering Afya provides exceptional opportunities. We can use assistance with sorting supplies and also with more intense hands-on projects. Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals, families, community groups and businesses. Volunteer Contact: Sarah Schuyler, sarah.schuyler@afyafoundation.org
Groundwork Hudson Valley, www.groundworkhv.org
Create a “River Watch Team”. Garbage makes its way into our neighborhoods, parks, streets, rivers, and streams on a daily basis. Help keep the Saw Mill River (an important Hudson River Tributary) beautiful throughout the year by creating a Stewardship Team. As part of a Stewardship Team, you commit to getting out regularly (organizing a Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer clean-up) to clean up a site of your choosing. The Saw Mill River Coalition (SMRC) will provide tools and help with planning. Groundwork Hudson Valley also does tree planting, neighborhood greening, river clean-ups, neighborhood green spaces, trail clearing and more. They are open to working with groups. Volunteer Contact: Emily Eder, emily@groundworkhv.org
Neighbor’s Link, www.neighborslink.org
Neighbors Link offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for adults, teens, families and groups. Volunteering may be done on an occasional, short-term or long-term basis. Day and evening schedules are available. To learn more about our organization and the programs we offer visit our website at www.neighborslink.org. We welcome your involvement and sincerely appreciate your offer to volunteer. Please contact Shirley Buontempo, Program and Volunteer Manager, 914-666-3410 ext. 16, or sbuontempo@neighborslink.org, to schedule an appointment to discuss your interests and availability and to answer any questions you may have.
The Community Center of Northern Westchester, www.communitycenternw.org
The Community Center seeks to improve the dignity, security and well being of persons living in Northern Westchester by providing supplemental food and clothing, employment counseling, language and computer classes, and referrals to appropriate resources. Established in 1992 and supported by a consortium of 23 civic, educational and religious organizations, The Community Center provides a central location where neighbors help neighbors in need. Call 232-6572, email info@communitycenternw.org , or visit www.communitycenternw.org for more information. The Community Center, 84 Bedford Road, Katonah, NY 10536.
Hope’s Door, www.hopesdoorny.org
Hope’s Door, formerly The Northern Westchester Shelter, is a private non-profit organization, which was founded in 1980 to provide a safe haven and caring services to survivors of domestic violence. Our programs are free, confidential and offered in English and Spanish. While our name has changed, our mission remains the same: Hope’s Door seeks to end domestic violence and to empower victims to achieve safety, independence and healing from the trauma of abuse. Call (914) 747-0828, email kmccoy@hopesdoorny.org, visit www.hopesdoorny.org
The Volunteer Center of United Way, www.volunteer-center.org
Do you want to volunteer but don’t know where? The Volunteer Center works with individuals and groups of all ages to identify meaningful volunteer service projects. The Center keeps a listing of over 650 volunteer opportunities in Westchester and Putnam Counties and works with over 500 nonprofit agencies. Trained Placement Specialists work with each person to help them find the best volunteer placement based on skills, interests, age and location. The Volunteer Center has worked with many parents who wish to spend time with their children while also teaching them about their community. 80% of adults who volunteer, say they learned about service when they were a child, usually from a parent. Find out what you can do with your kids and change their lives forever. For an appointment with a Volunteer Placement Specialist by phone or in person call 1-866-VOL-CALL or search for opportunities on our website www.volunteer-center.org.
Green Chimneys, www.greenchimneys.org
Green Chimneys is the nationally renowned, non-profit organization with a mission of restoring possibilities and creating futures for children with emotional, behavioral, social and learning challenges through educational, therapeutic and outreach services, while providing care for animals and nature, thereby promoting a philosophy of dignity and worth for all living things. Visit www.greenchimneys.org
The Sharing Shelf.
The Sharing Shelf is a nonprofit norganization affiliated with Family Services of Westchester, which collects new and gently used children`s clothing and other basic children`s items, such as strollers, school supplies and car seats. We distribute clothing to children in need at no cost to the children or their families. Agencies, teachers, social workers, religious leaders, and others serving low income families may register with The Sharing Shelf to access our supplies for their clients. The Sharing Shelf seeks donations of clothing and basic essentials for newborn through age 18. We accept new or gently used clothing, pajamas, shoes, baby supplies, strollers, pack-n-plays, high chairs, unopened toys/diapers/wipes, bedding/linens, sheets, towels, blankets, new school or art supplies and backpacks, new or gently used children books, and coats, boots, hats and gloves in the winter. Items donated should be gently used, please no rips, tears, holes, stains, etc. To get involved or to make a donation, call 914.937.2320 x 148 or email thesharingshelf@gmail.com. Ask for Deborah.
