Cocktails, Movie Night and Mah Jongg: All for Good Causes

Drinks at Chat: The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) will hold a fundraiser at Chat American Grill in Scarsdale on Thursday April 30th at 7 pm. DJ David Gage will be spinning tunes while Scarsdale moms Andrea, Jodi, Stephanie, Lisa and Debbie are behind the bar. There is no charge to attend and all tips will go to CCFA, a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cures for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. Since their founding over four decades ago, CCFA has remained at the forefront of research in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Today, they fund cutting-edge studies at major medical institutions, nurture investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finance underdeveloped areas of research. In addition, our educational workshops and programs, along with our scientific journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, enable medical professionals to keep pace with this rapidly growing field. The National Institutes of Health has commended CCFA for "uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research."

Stop by Chat and have a drink for a great cause.

Family Movie Night at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

The Scarsdale Elementary Schools are working together to host their first annual "Kids Helping Kids" family movie night FUNdraiser on Wednesday, May 20th at 5pm at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Yonkers. The movie screening is the family-friendly; "Cheaper by the Dozen 2".

The event is sponsored by the Alamo, and all proceeds from the event will go directly to help Starfish Greathearts Foundation build a school in South Africa. Five raffle prizes, donated by each of the elementary schools, can be won, with raffle ticket sales adding to the fundraising efforts.

Alison Litofsky, Quaker Ridge Community Service Co-Chair, said "The individual Scarsdale elementary schools work throughout the year on many projects to help our communities close to home. How exciting that all of the schools are working together on this movie night event to benefit the children in South Africa!"

"The Alamo family movie night FUNdraiser is a great way for Kids to help Kids - Scarsdale families will come together to enjoy dinner and a movie and support an incredible cause. This year our goal is to build a school in South Africa. We'll choose a different international charity that supports children in need every year," added Sherri Marrache, Heathcote Community Service Co-Chair.

Nicola Atherstone, Executive Director of Starfish USA, said, "I recently visited many of the rural schools that Starfish supports in South Africa and was struck by how little they have, and how much we as a community in Scarsdale could do to make a big difference. These schools teach children in corrugated iron shacks, without electricity or running water. The children are well cared for and love to learn and receive two hot meals a day. The teachers are making an impact, despite their lack of resources."

"Kids Helping Kids" Community Service Chairs are: Sherri Marrache and Deb Smith (Heathcote) Moira Crouch and Maura Lee (Edgewood) Jackie Wolfson and Michelle Miller (Fox Meadow) Rickie Broff and Alison Litofsky (Quaker Ridge) Eva Wilson and Nicola Atherstone (Greenacres)

Mah-Jongg Tournament at Scarsdale Synagogue:

The Women of Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El will hold an all day Mah-Jongg Tournament on Sunday, June 7, 2015 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the synagogue at 2 Ogden Road in Scarsdale. The event is open to the community. The all-inclusive entry fee is $50 if you RSVP by May 21. After May 21, the entry fee is $60 if space allows.

Mah Jongg (or "Maajh", as it is usually called) is a fascinating rummy-like game played with tiles rather than cards. The game originated in China, dating back to the time of Confucius. The tournament will follow National Mah-Jongg League rules.

The order of the day is as follows:

9 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. - Registration and a light breakfast)
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Tournament begins, Play Rounds 1 - 3 (55 minutes/round)
12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. - Lunch and Dessert (Included in fee) 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Play Rounds 4 – 6 (55 minutes/round) 4 – 4:15 p.m. - Awards / Cash prizes

To register and for more information contact Randee Horowitz at 914-472-3420 or email her at randee.horowitz@gmail.com.