Good Things A BANNER YEAR FOR FUNDRAISER

The Arc Westchester Foundation, which raises public awareness and financial resources for The Arc Westchester’s programs and services for people with developmental disabilities and their families, recently revealed that its 17th annual “A Matter of Taste” fundraiser, which took place April 19, raised more than $550,000. The event, which is back in-person for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, was emceed by actor Kevin Kilner and featured signature cuisine prepared by the finest chefs in the area, accompanied by a wide assortment of fine wines, specialty cocktails and craft beers.

“The funds raised at A Matter of Taste are critical for ensuring people with developmental disabilities will have access to a suite of innovative services and enjoy a high quality of life,” said Nancy Patota, executive director, The Arc Westchester Foundation. The Masket Family was awarded the

Fall 2023 Grant Cycle

Field Hall Foundation in Cortlandt Manor provides grants for programs and projects that improve the lives of older adults and caregivers in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties. Priority is given to proposals focused on the basic needs of low-income seniors (60+ years) and their

Family Partner Award and Zaro’s Family Bakery was the recipient of the Corporate Partner Award.

The Masket Family’s involvement with The Arc Westchester began in 2011, when their autistic son moved into a group home. Focusing on long-term financial stability for the organization, the Maskets have been exemplary ambassadors, donors and fundraisers and were instrumental in forging an ongoing connection with The Taft Foundation, which has resulted in millions of dollars donated toward funding cutting-edge programs.

Zaro’s Family Bakery, known for its unsurpassed quality of baked goods, including the iconic black and white cookie, challah bread and rugelach. is a household name in the New York metropolitan area. Zaro brothers Michael, Brian and Scott, the fourth generation of this family-owned and operated business, are also committed to giving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to be contributing members of the workforce. Their enlightened, inclusionary hiring practices are changing the lives of all their employees, while inspiring other businesses to provide career opportunities for individuals supported by The Arc Westchester, which is headquartered in White Plains. Currently, six individuals are working at Zaro’s with plans to add more.

The Arc Westchester is a chapter of The Arc USA and The Arc New York.

In one of Stepinac High School’s most successful community blood drives, 88 donors from the all-boys Catholic high school, including students, members of the administration, faculty, staff, family members and friends, recently answered the call to help address blood supply shortages. As a result, their donations will potentially help save the lives of 264 area hospital patients as each donated pint of blood can save three lives, the New York Blood Center (NYBC) reported.

Hosted by Stepinac and administered at the school’s gymnasium, the spring blood drive was held in memory of Luke Gallagher, the brother of Stepinac senior Matthew Gallagher (Class of ’23) of Yonkers. Matthew suggested the drive be held to honor his brother who fought cancer courageously before passing away in 2019 at the age of 12.

Commenting on the large turnout of donors, Matthew said, “My family and I want to thank all the donors who honored by brother’s memory in a very special way. I am happy that good things are coming out of this effort.” unpaid caregivers, new or expanding programs, collaborations and organizations not previously funded.

Archbishop Stepinac High School offers young men of the Archdiocese of New York a highly competitive academic and extracurricular program that will prepare them for college and leadership roles. The faculty and staff accomplish these objectives by pursuing excellence and creating a supportive, disciplined atmosphere with a strong sense of camaraderie and Christian values that is unique to the Stepinac experience.

Visit the foundation’s website, if you feel you qualify, for guidelines and eligibility requirements. Previous grant recipients are not eligible to apply for another grant until at least one year has passed since they received a grant and a final report for that grant has been submitted to and accepted by the foundation. The foundation does not award multiyear grants.

Contact Patti Lavan Horvath, program officer, if you have any questions or would like to discuss a proposal, phorvath@fieldhallfdn.org or 914-813-9103.

Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley (RMHGHV) recently announced that its annual Footsteps for Families Walk Over the Hudson event is officially open for registration. This year’s event will take place Sunday, May 14. The walk will kick off at noon on the Highland side of the bridge in Ulster County. Since it’s Mother’s Day participants are encouraged to join the walk in honor of a special mother in their lives and raise funds to help RMHGHV continue supporting families during a child’s critical medical care. Each mother who attends the event will receive a special gift and flower, compliments of Hannaford Supermarkets. The historic Walkway is the world’s longest-elevated pedestrian bridge and is surrounded on both the Poughkeepsie and Highland sides by restaurants, shops, trails. Strollers and leashed dogs are welcome.

Outstanding Water Resource Operator Award

Abstract Artist Creates Artwork Using Her Wheelchair As A Tool

“The Journey of Healing,” a permanent art exhibition on display at the White Plains campus, 785 Mamaroneck Avenue, of Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, features artwork by Westchester resident and abstract artist Aimee Hofmann.

The New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), headquartered in Syracuse, recognized Ron Kenny of Westchester County with an Outstanding Operator of the Year Award, which is given annually to honor a water resource recovery operator in each of NYWEA’s regional chapters across the state. The award commemorates extraordinary dedication in the day-to-day operation of a water resource recovery utility or a successful solution to a problem and/or contributions to the wastewater field giving recognition to operations personnel who are essential in mitigating operational challenges.

Kenny was born and grew up in County Galway, Ireland, and immigrated to the United States in 1996. He was a carpenter by trade until he was hired by Westchester County in 2008 as an operator trainee. In 2009, Kenny was promoted to operator. In 2014, he was promoted to supervising operator at the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant where he has been for seven years. During these years he has kept the facility from having any major upsets or permit violations from wet weather events. His knowledge of the facility and his calm steady demeanor set the example for other employees to follow.

Founded in 1929 by professionals in the field of water quality as a nonprofit educational organization, NYWEA has 2,500 members statewide and hosts several technical conferences each year for environmental engineers, scientists, water resource recovery operators, public officials and others who work in water and wastewater quality management.

In 2006, Hofman was diagnosed with a neurological condition called Transverse Myelitis, an inflammation in the spinal cord that caused complete paralysis of her spine. She found peace, comfort and emotional healing while participating in a therapeutic art program during her initial stages of recovery.

Using her wheelchair and paintbrushes to create highly inspiring works of art, Hofman, utilizes wheels from older wheelchairs to mix paint and blend it on canvas.

“Riding over the canvas to make wheelchair marks acts as a stamp and provides an aesthetic appeal,” said Hofmann. “My art is an extension of myself. It shows people that wheelchairs give us freedom and movement; they allow us to navigate the world and travel. I want people to see them as tools that can move, change and combine things.”

The paintings are prominently displayed across from Burke’s Activities of Daily Living gymnasium, where patients can view the work and learn about Hofmann’s story of courage.

“I want the patients at Burke to feel uplifted and energized when they see these paintings. I deliberately chose a vibrant color palette and movement,” said Hofmann. “You can see the wheelchair track marks and the wild gestural marks and swirls.The paintings are dedicated to the patients at Burke, but my journey can inspire not only people with disabilities but everyone who has gone through adversities.”

“It was an amazing night celebrating, honoring and recognizing the many accomplishments of the Yes She Can trainees, graduates and local artists with learning differences, said Robin L. Davies-Small, Yes She Can executive director.

The artists displayed their paintings, drawings, sculptures, handmade dresses and photographs.

Guest County Executive George Latimer said to the trainees, “You have abilities and you are doing great work. Yes She Can is a terrific organization that the county and city greatly respect and we will remain good partners.”

PARTNERING TO ADDRESS MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

RADical Hope, whose mission is to improve the lives and futures of young adults by strengthening connections and building resilience, and Pace University, hosted a special event for the school’s student-athletes on April 24. Aaron Taylor, CBS college sports analyst, Super Bowl champion and mental health advocate, was the featured guest at the town hall forum.

He delivered an inspirational talk to the student body and faculty of Pace University around mental and emotional well-being with a focus on the importance of community, teamwork and resilience. Taylor, who now serves as a college football broadcaster after a successful career playing for the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers, drew from his own life experiences to impart insights around the importance of self-empowerment and peer connections for managing stress and overcoming challenges.

Pace University partnered with RADical Hope in the Fall of 2021 to offer its student body Radical Hope’s four-week, skill-based emotional learning program called RADical Health. To date, more than 30 colleges and universities across the U.S. have partnered with RADical Hope to implement its evidence-based wellness program. The organization funds all costs associated with running the program for every partner.

“Over the last two years, we have partnered with Pace University to support the mental, physical and emotional well-being of hundreds of their students. We are committed to empowering young adults with skills and resources to strengthen connections and build resilience so they are equipped to cope before they reach a crisis point,” said Liz Feld, CEO of RADical Hope.

RADical Hope, a nonprofit organization is addressing the youth mental health crisis by developing, funding and scaling evidence-based programs that focus on five core pillars: connectivity, engagement, emotional Intelligence, empowerment and sustainability.