Scarsdale Residents Donate Holiday Gifts for Children in Need

For the 11th year in a row, the WJCS Have a Heart Luncheon at the home of Linda Plattus in Scarsdale ensured that hundreds of children in communities throughout Westchester will have a gift this holiday season.

WJCS Board members and Scarsdale residents Linda Plattus, Suzanne Yearley, Sarah Kayle, Nina Ross and Loretta Rosenbaum hosted the event on December 6th that was attend by approximately sixty people who donated an abundance of gifts and gift cards. WJCS has received 750 request for toys for children age infant through high school that are served in WJCS programs. These donations will go directly to these children and in most cases, will be the only toy they will receive this holiday season.

"For most Westchester families the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration. However, for too many of our neighbors, it is a stressful time," said Linda Plattus, "and The Have a Heart event is a wonderful opportunity to brighten the lives of children and families in our local community."

WJCS serves 7,000 children annually through a network of programs including after-school, early literacy, mental health, domestic violence prevention and services for pregnant and parenting teens and LGBTQ youth. In many of the communities served by WJCS, approximately 20% to 40% of the children live below the federal poverty level.

The following local merchants generously donated to the event: Cherry Lawn Farm Market, House of Flowers, Lange's Of Scarsdale, Martine's Fine Bake Shoppe and Patisserie Salzburg.

WJCS is one of the largest non-profit, non-sectarian human services agencies in Westchester, serving 20,000 people annually at more than 80 locations from Yonkers to Peekskill. The agency's integrated network of services includes mental health treatment, youth services, residential and non-residential programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism, home health and geriatric services. For more information, go to www.wjcs.com.