Good Things

Employee Dei Takes Center Stage At White Plains Hospital

Police Department Benefit Car Show

Registration is now open for the second Greenwich Police Department Scholarship Fund 2023 Benefit Car Show, Saturday, May 13, at Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road, Greenwich, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Rain date: May 20, 2023.) Admission is free to spectators and will include classic, antique, custom and exotic cars, motorcycles and vintage fire trucks. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Greenwich Police Department Scholarship Fund.

Car owners are encouraged to sign up for early-bird pre-registration before May 13 since space is limited. Vehicles will be ac- cepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The registration fee is $20 per vehicle. To show your vehicle or motorcycle, register at: gpdscholarshipfund.org/gpdsf-car-show.

Sponsorship opportunities start at just $50 and also includes $125 as a Trophy Sponsor and $250 to participate as an onsite sponsor. Automobile dealership opportunities begin at $500, which include onsite participation and a vehicle to display onsite as well.

“The Scholarship Fund recognizes the achievements of qualified and deserving students of Greenwich Police Officers while

Westchester Def Honors Environmental Stewardship Achievements

Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the county’s Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) extended Earth Day by celebrating all month with events and activities, including the 2023 Eco Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the environment and sustainability made by residents, students, schools, municipalities, businesses and other organizations.

Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Facilities Louis Vetrone, said “Westchester County is fortunate to have residents, municipalities and businesses who are committed to protecting and improving our environment. Their contributions are a major reason Westchester County continues to be a leader in environmental management and sustainability….”

The awardees included:

• Our New Way Garden: For its community-supported agriculture program.

• Planting Westchester: For supporting clean air and water goals by encouraging green spaces and agricultural management throughout Westchester.

• Filippine de Haan Hoogland, Fiona Mitchell: For working with Healthy Yards in Westchester to reduce chemical usage and expand wildlife habitats.

• Tai Montanarella, Mario Bulfamante & Sons Landscaping: For working with EcoPel on the restoration of the Pelham Manor Hutchinson River Parkway northbound Exit 4.

• The Scarsdale High School Ecoconscious Initiative: For engaging Westchester’s youth through the Youth Environmental Opportunities Panel event.

• Concord Road Elementary School (Ardsley) Student Council: For encouraging students to go waste-free at lunch through the creation of the Zero Waste School Lunches 2023 video.

• Peter McCartt, Gayle Katzman and honoring the dedication of the officers themselves. I can’t think of a better way for the public to thank Greenwich Officers for their commitment to our community,” said Chief of Police James Heavey.

The Scholarship Fund grants financial assistance to the children of active Greenwich Police Officers who qualify by ability and character for undergraduate studies.

The Fund, incorporated in December of 1962, was granted tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code in November 1963. For more information or if you would like to become a sponsor, call 203-622-7884 or visit https://www.gpdscholarshipfund.org.

Recently in the First-Floor Auditorium and Centennial Room of White Plains Hospital (WPH) Diversity Day was celebrated giving WPH employees an opportunity to come together and celebrate their differences and similarities while promoting unity and understanding. The event featured cultural performances and cultural spotlights, along with games and food from different parts of the world.

White Plains Hospital, like Westchester County, is a cultural melting pot, with a staff population that is 23% Hispanic/Latino, 19% African American and 10% Asian. WPH recognizes that diversity is essential for organizational success and growth and is committed to ensuring that every employee feels valued, respected and included.

National Grant Helps Spiritual Center

Hernane De Almeida: For working to reduce the county’s carbon footprint through the county’s Clean Fleet Initiative, bringing electric vehicles to the Bee-Line and public safety fleets.

• Giovanna Rotini-Cole: For supporting DEF recycling outreach efforts through the creation of the characters featured in “Westchester Recycling Chronicles” and other artistic contributions.

• John McDonald: For commitment to the annual Public Works Day, educating students on the importance of recycling.

• Town of Pound Ridge, city of Rye and town of North Salem: For achieving the top-three-highest municipal curbside recycling rates in Westchester County in 2022.

• City of Mount Vernon DPW: For the Recycling Bin initiative, providing recycling bins free of charge to residents to promote and increase recycling in the city.

Trinity Spiritual Center, a program co-created by Trinity Episcopal Church’s parishioners and civic leaders in Southport, has been named the recipient of a highly prestigious, $45,000 grant from the national Episcopal Church’s Constable Fund for a second year in a row.

Established by Mary Louise Constable in 1939 to provide funding for mission initiatives not within the scope of the budget of the Church, the fund supports innovative programs in religious education. Because the application process is extremely competitive, being awarded a Constable Grant twice is a significant honor for Trinity Spiritual Center so early in its formation.

Trinity Spiritual Center’s $45,000 grant is one of seven made by the Constable Fund totaling $245,730. This year’s funding will support a wide range of programs advancing interfaith conversations, character development for youth and leadership formation, among other initiatives. The grant to Trinity

Spiritual Center is unusual because of the center’s focus on individuals who affiliate with no religion, or “nones.”

Trinity Spiritual Center was created in response to research regarding organized religion. A recent Gallup survey shows that fewer than half of U.S. adults say they belong to a church, synagogue or mosque. At the same time, the number of Americans who identify as spiritual, but not religious is growing rapidly, according to the Pew Research Center.

Trinity Episcopal Church is located in the historic seaside district of Southport at 651 Pequot Ave. and welcomes seekers of all denominations. The Trinity Spiritual Center is a dynamic and growing community of people of all ages and beliefs, engaging in a broad range of learning experiences to inspire and support their own journeys of spiritual growth. It offers programs and practices that inspire and engage the greater community.

Hudson River Advocate Retires

Health Center Celebrates Anniversary And Multimillion Dollar Renovation

On Wednesday, April 19, elected officials, dignitaries, community leaders and guests gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center (MVNHC) and break ground for a $12 million renovation of the facility and its new name and brand.

The center will now be known as Westchester Community Health Center to reflect its broader geographic service area.

“Because we operate centers in Greenburgh/White Plains and Yonkers, we are changing our name to Westchester Community Health Center to more accurately reflect the larger community we care for,” said CEO Judith Watson.

County Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels said the “The Center provides vital services to the community and Westchester County is committed to supporting it.”

Former Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson recounted the history of the center, recalling the activists who worked to find funding for the opening in 1980. She spoke of the need that the center filled, giving the citizens of Mount Vernon a place to obtain quality health care.

As they broke ground, Watson said, “We welcome everyone here, regardless of their ability to pay or their immigration status. We want to take care of everyone who needs our services.”

Hudson Valley Sloop Clearwater bid farewell to Manna Jo Greene after 22 years with the nonprofit. Greene’s ties to Clearwater extend well beyond her tenure as environmental action director. She was first introduced to the group at a Pete Seeger concert and went on to volunteer with Toshi Seeger as a “litter picker” at the Great Hudson River Revival for many years. Greene joined Clearwater’s Board of Directors and stepped into her current role with the organization two years later.

“I have been grateful for Manna’s leadership as we’ve navigated the changing environmental landscape together…we know that her commitment to making our communities cleaner, greener and safer will not end here,” said Executive Director David Toman. She worked tirelessly to close Indian Point Power plant in Buchanan and her peers continue to work to protect the Hudson from the discharge of the wastewater by Holtec Corp. from the Buchanan plant into the river, currently put on hold after an outcry from county executives and environmentalists in the mid-Hudson region.