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FUNDRAISERS IN THE AREA
FOOD DRIVE
Now through March 5 | Collection bins for food and monetary donations will be available at all three of the Hastings School Buildings, and at supportive local vendors. The Hastings School Community is pleased to announce two initiatives to help combat hunger. Student and teacher organizations within the schools have joined efforts to organize a Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank for Westchester, as well as an Empty Bowls Dinner to benefit OXFAM International.
More Info? Download Information Sheet and Download Most Needed Items

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
FOR LITERACY PROGRAMS
JCY-Westchester Community Partners [link]: Work 1 on 1 with a local public school student who really needs your help! Make a difference in the life of a child by volunteering to become a mentor. Work with students during the school day in our SMART (Students and Mature Adults Read Together) program or come in after the dismissal bell to provide homework help in Reading Buddies After School. We ask for a minimum commitment of 1 hour every week during the school year and guarantee it will be time well spent. For information contact: Randee Ginsberg, JCY-Westchester Community Partners, 914-423-5009 or [email]

Now through February 12 | Prom Dress Drive | Drop off: Main Entrance at the High School or The Ardsley Community Center | The Youth Advocate Program's high school students are doing a Prom Dress Drive from February 1 to February 12! We are collecting dresses for girls in Westchester that cannot afford a prom dress. If you have a gently worn prom, bridesmaid or fancy dress hanging in your closet that you would like to donate, please drop it off. They also accept evening bags, just no shoes or dresses with velvet. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Youth Advocate Allison Mastrogiacomo at 674-4845.

Thursday, February 11 at 8pm | Westchester Artists for Haiti Relief | The White Plains Performing Arts Center | Westchester County jazz artists and ArtsWestchester [link] respond to the Haiti Crisis with the a concert. Proceeds will benefit the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, Haiti, [link], under the directive of the Haitian Heritage Group, a Westchester-based non-profit organization. Tickets are $25 and except for paying two side musicians, all the proceeds go the the Hospital.

Friday, February 12 @ 8pm | Healing Arts for Haiti [link] | Grand Hyatt, at Grand Central Station | Come de-stress while helping those in distress. Healing Arts for Haiti is where caring citizens can receive services from the healing arts community with donations to help Haiti. Every dollar raised will be donated to UNICEF, directly helping rescue and relief efforts in Haiti. No appointments needed, just come by and de-stress for a great cause.

Wednesday, February 24 from 8:30am - 4:30pm & Thursday, February 25 from 8:30am to 4:30pm & 6pm to 8:30pm | Hastings PTSA Used Book Fair | Hillside Elementary School, Hastings | Donations and volunteers are needed for the Eleventh Annual PTSA Used Book Fair at Hillside Elementary School. Contact Becca Mudge at 478-2649 or [email] or Donna Laing at 478-5788 or [email].

DONATIONS NEEDED
Download Flyer
Beckham is an 11 year old boy who loves soccer. He and his friends are orphans in Malawi, Africa. They play barefoot and kick a ball made from scraps of plastic and rubber. You can help. Please give your outgrown soccer gear to kids who really need it. This project is inspired by the 5th, 6th and 7th graders of South Church in Dobbs Ferry in cooperation with Maloto, Inc. a 501C3 non profit that offers education and food for the orphans of Mzuzu, Malawi.
WHAT: balls, cleats, uniforms, socks, etc (all sizes)
WHEN: Now! Deadline is March 21
WHERE: South Presbyterian Church 343 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY A drop box is located inside the office entrance
CONTACT: Cris at Email or 943-6264

Saturday, February 27 @ 9am | The Literacy Volunteers ESL Tutor Training Workshop | Warner Library, Tarrytown | Now is the time to register! The workshop meets six Saturdays from 9am to 12pm (February 27, March 6, 13, 20 27 and April 10) and trains you to accept a student from a waiting list of men and women in our community seeking help in learning to speak English. There is no need to know a foreign language in order to help a neighbor learn English. If you are at least 19 years old and can commit to tutoring a learner for two hours a week for one year, please join us! Applications for the workshop are available at Warner Library or on-line at [link]. For more information please call Literacy Volunteers of the Tarrytowns at 432-3052 or [email].

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Pajama Program [link], a 501(c)3 national children’s charity, today announced the kick off of its 2010 “OPEN YOUR HEART” fundraising and awareness campaign with two exciting local events to warm up our children during these cold nights. Bob’s Discount Furniture, Sprout and Carter’s are sponsors of the Open Your Heart campaign. The Pajama Program has announced the following fundraising events:
Friday Feb. 26 @ 6pm | Open Your Heart Dinner | Sam's of Gedney Way, 52 Gedney Way, White Plains | $100 per ticket
Sunday, February 28 from 9am - 11am | Bowl in your PJs! | AMF White Plains | Please bring a pair of new pajamas and/or a new book. Bob's Discount Furniture is a sponsor of the Bowling in Pajamas event. $20 per bowler.

Friday, March 5 | The Dobbs Ferry School Foundation's 8th Annual Car Raffle Drawing [link] will take place at the DFSF Annual Gala on March 5 [link] at the Ardsley Country Club [link] | This is a limited raffle in which only 999 tickets will be sold. Each ticket costs $99.00.

Saturday, March 13 @ 6:30pm | Lorraine Buonocunto will be honored at the 2010 "Friendly Gathering" | Good Counsel’s Kearney Gym, White Plains | Director of the Ecumenical Emergency Food Pantry of White Plains, Lorraine will be recognized with the Msgr. Ed O’Brien Community Service Award for civic, community and church involvement. The Friendly Gathering features a corned beef and cabbage dinner, Irish songs by premier Sligo-style fiddler Brian Conway and his group, and a performance by the O’Rourke Academy of Irish Dance. Tickets are $40 per person in advance and $45 at the door. Seniors are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Reservations are strongly encouraged. The evening also will feature a Live Auction for 2 Round-Trip Airline Tickets to Ireland and a foursome at Westchester Country Club including caddy and lunch and other items. For more information, please call 798-1106.

Friday, March 26 @ 8pm | Westchester Children’s Association’s 5th Annual “Let’s Take the Kids to a Show” Fundraiser [link] Performing Arts Center at Purchase College | All children need the same things: Love, guidance, a safe place to grow, and FUN! For every $100 contributed to WCA for this purpose, we will purchase a ticket and make arrangements for a youngster to see TAO, a Japanese drumming group with an international reputation for athletic prowess and musical finesse. The balance of the contribution will help WCA advocate for the needs of foster kids and other children and youth in our County.

Friday, April 9 | Ardsley Education Foundation First Ever Cash Raffle will take place at our Annual Party and Auction [link] | Come enjoy a wonderful evening at Elmwood Country Club, where our auction and the raffle for a Grand Prize of $20,000 will be drawn. Only 500 tickets will be sold and you need not be present to win. You can also help by contributing to the success of the Ardsley Education Foundation fundraiser this year by donating an item for the auction.
If you have items to donate or would like raffle ticket info, please email:
Laurie: shes2bz@aol.com
Jodi: josiegel@optonline.net

Saturday, April 10 from 7pm - 10pm | Hastings Cares Fundraiser: Give Back to Haiti | The James Harmon Community Center, Hastings | Come and dance the night away to fantastic Haitian and Latin American
music to contribute to this incredibly important cause. The talented and generous Pamela McKenna will also be donating her time to lead some fun Zumba routines! ...just follow the leader, its easy and FUN. For more information, please contact Ellen Kelly at [email] or call Lisa Carmody at the Community Center at 478-2380.

Saturday, April 24 | Run for the Wild [link] | Bronx Zoo | Register Here Get ready to make tracks for tigers in 2010, and check another New Year’s resolution off your list! The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Run for the Wild is set, but you don’t have to wait until spring to start getting in shape. We’ll be providing training tips from Tiki Barber to help you make the most out of your workouts, so stay tuned. Best of all, you’ll be helping to save tigers with every stride you take. Your pledges and donations provide much needed support for WCS field staff working to ensure a future for these endangered great cats.

Saturday, April 24 @ 7pm | Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns Annual Auction and Dinner Dance [link] | Doubletree Hotel, Tarrytown | The Foundation For the Public School of the Tarrytowns is pleased to announce that the District's Performing and Fine Arts teachers, Peter Royston, Alison Paul, and the members of the Performing Arts Boosters have been selected as the Foundation's 2010 Dinner Dance Honorees. At this year's Dinner Dance and Auction on April 24th at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown, the Foundation will be celebrating all the Arts programs in our school district, and the teachers and community leaders behind the programs that make Arts an important part of our student's lives.

Saturday, May 1 | Hastings Education Foundation Fifth Annual Gala Party and Auction [link] | In addition to your company, we are counting on your help. You can contribute to the success of the Hastings Education Foundation fundraiser this year by donating an item for the auction.
If you have items to donate, please email:
Hillari: hpfreireich@optonline.net
Samantha: smerton@gmail.com or
Deb: wirlie@aol.com

Continue to "What's Happening" section or "Local Events" Section

WINTER BREAK PROGRAMS click here and scroll.

Mondays, February 8, 15, 22 from 6:30pm - 8pm
Employment Networking and Support Group | RDC Center, 52 North Broadway, White Plains
If this past year’s economic downturn has left you feeling discouraged or questioning what to do next, join us for ideas and support! For more information or to register, call Pat Sheridan, LCSW at 914-798-1103.

Tuesday February 9 from 8am - 10am
Westchester Holistic Breakfast [link] | Convent of the Divine Compassion, 52 N. Broadway, White Plains WHN is a group of holistically-minded people from all walks of life, gathering to learn more, get to know each other and enjoy an organic breakfast in a beautiful setting. Info and directions [link] or call 422-1784. $15.

Tuesday, February 9 from 3:30pm - 5pm
'Valentines' for your Valentines | The Warner Library, Tarrytown [link] FOR TEENS. Learn to make uniquely beautifully valentine cards.

Tuesday, February 9 @ 8pm
"Coco Before Chanel" | Irvington Town Hall Theater [link]

Wednesday, February 10 @ 1pm
Rivertown Networkers | Hastings Station Cafe
Join us for a demonstration on using Constant Contact, a popular eMail Marketing site. Arnie Adler, one of our own members, will demonstrate how to use this software site to increase your exposure, leading to increased business.

Wednesday, February 10 @ 7pm
Kellye Davis, author of the bestselling book "The Bliss Principle" | Greenburgh Public Library, Elmsford [link] "The Bliss Principle" (KD Publishing, November 2009), will present a program called “From Stress to Peace” based on the principles she has written about.

Thursday, February 11 from 9:30am – 11:30am
“Branding Your Business Through Social Networking” | Women’s Enterprise Development Center [link] Workshop for small business owners on how to harness the power of social networking for your small business Presented by Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC). Speaker: Julie Trelstad, Plain White Press. Location: 1133 Westchester Avenue, Lobby Board Room, White Plains. FREE. RSVP to (914) 948-6098, x13 or [email]

Thursday, February 11 from 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Dobbs Ferry Public Library Teen Poetry Slam | Dobbs Ferry Public Library [link]

CALL FOR ARTISTS
The RiverArts 17th Annual Studio Tour
April 24th and 25th, 2010
Register Here Deadline: Feb 19th
Questions: emal or Call: 476-2321

The Greenburgh Public Library [link] Foundation announces the inaugural Westchester County Amateur Photo Contest. [link] The contest is believed to be the first of its kind in Westchester County as it maintains a focus on amateur adult and on high school student photographers. Submissions must be made digitally and must be received between April 1 and April 12. The exhibit will be held in the Howard and Ruth Jacobs Family Gallery in the Greenburgh Public Library, Elmsford, from May 3, 2010 through June 17, 2010.

JCC on the Hudson: Spring Class Registration Check [link] for classes, programs and activities.

thru February 18
The Art of Carol Lyons [link] | Greenburgh Public Library [link] The Greenburgh Public Library announces an original exhibit of artworks by imaginative Westchester artist, Carol Lyons.

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Planning a Birthday Party? Click here for ideas and Venues.




For more information, contact Sarah Hinawi

(Hastings-on-Hudson, NY – February 8, 2010) LitWorld, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing literacy education to the world’s most vulnerable communities, invites citizens everywhere to participate in World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) on March 3, 2010. This global event is intended to raise awareness for the importance of literacy across all countries and for all humanity. WRAD will engage a wide variety of audiences to create a unified event and a worldwide community of readers, thereby sending a clear message to our world’s leaders: Words Change Worlds.

“World Read Aloud Day will be a global celebration of the invaluable practice of reading aloud,” said Pam Allyn, founder and executive director of LitWorld. “By raising our voices to express the written word, we come together to create meaning, enhanced understanding and shared experiences for our words and stories. What better way to enlist the world’s citizens to become involved in the movement for global literacy?”

Thousands of diverse individuals will be joining in this celebration of the written and spoken word from at least 15 nations around the globe. Participating organizations include:

• The Millenium Institute • Global Action for Children • Youth Action International • Children’s Village • The New York Knicks • We Give Books • FreeBalance • IASBT Ghana • Crossword Books

To participate in WRAD, LitWorld is calling upon adults and children around the world to become literacy advocates in their homes, communities and schools. Individuals are asked to spread the word and elicit support and participation from an anticipated one million observers. Ideas for WRAD Read-Alouds and certificates of participation are available for free download on the LitWorld Web site. For more information, or to find out how you can create a unique read aloud experience, please visit www.litworld.org/wrad.

LitWorld’s mission is to cultivate literacy leaders worldwide through transformational literacy experiences that build connection, understanding, resilience and strength. We work with teachers, parents, community members, and children to support the development of literacy and the redemptive power of story in the world’s most vulnerable communities. LitWorld is a 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.

Please contact Sarah Hinawi sarahhinawi@litworld.org for additional information, or if you would like to schedule an interview with Pam Allyn. Thank you.