Scarsdale Boy Organizes Footloose Shoe Drive to Benefit Souls4Souls
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Westchester residents are invited to recycle their 'gently worn' shoes in an effort to help distribute shoes to people in need. The Play Group Theatre’s teenage cast of Footloose is not only dancing their feet off in rehearsal, but they are doing a different type of important legwork this winter. Beginning this weekend, with the opening of The Play Group Theatre’s, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” these young actors will use their talents to inspire the community to break out their shoes and give them to others in need.
Dylan Nossel, The Play Group Theatre (PGT) student who is organizing the shoe drive remarked, “It’s great to give to the community not just locally through our shows, but on a national scale through our shoes.” Dylan and his cast have partnered with Soles4Souls an international shoe donation program.
Soles4Souls Inc. has committed to collect and distribute shoes to people living in extreme poverty and recovering from natural disasters. “With tragedies such as the earthquakes in countries like Haiti and Japan, on top of the enormous needs elsewhere, we can use the estimated 1.5 billion shoes taking up space in the closets of ordinary people to change the world one pair at a time,” said Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, Wayne Elsey.
The shoe charity provides one pair of shoes to a person in need every 7 seconds. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 13 million pairs of shoes because of the generosity and commitment of people and organizations like The Play Group Theatre.
"Building a strong connection with the community is such an important part of PGT," says Rachael Longo, The Play Group Theatre's Director of Education. "We present free previews and performances to local charitable organizations and love to find show specific ways of giving back to the community. The Footloose Shoe Drive is a great example of the way our students are running with PGT’s Community Connection mission.”
The Play Group Theatre will be collecting new or gently worn footwear to make a tangible difference through the gift of shoes. Every shoe donation will support the Soles4Souls’ initiative to distribute shoes to those in need.
“Our show is about having the freedom to dance and to have fun,” says Footloose cast member Aviva Abusch. “We think that helping to put shoes on the feet of others may give them the freedom to do the same.”
The Play Group Theatre invites caring residents of Westchester and the surrounding areas to “Kick off your Sunday shoes….” right into one of PGT’s collection bins. To be a part of the Footloose Shoe Drive this winter, bring your shoes to any of their upcoming performances. Just make sure you have an extra pair to wear home from the show!
Footloose performs January 14 at 8pm, January 15 at 2pm, January 16 at 2pm, January 21 at 8pm and January 22 at 2pm.
For tickets or additional information about The Play Group Theatre, visit The Play Group Theatre’s website at www.playgroup.org .
People and companies interested in finding out more about Soles4Souls or donating shoes can visit the organization’s website at www.giveshoes.org.
Time to Step Up
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The Scarsdale Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) is seeking candidates for Village Trustee. Trustees serve on the seven-member Village Board and set Village police and guide Village staff. The Board approves the annual budget as well as large expenditures, and it monitors Village finances.
Each Board member acts as a liaison to neighborhood associations, Village Boards and Councils and other organizations. Individual trustees each chair at least one of the Board's committees and each trustee accepts assignment to other committees.
This year, two current Village Trustees, Kay Eisenman and Jon Mark will be considered for a second two-year term. Trustee Richard Toder has completed two terms of service and a new candidate will be selected to replace him.
For further information please contact the CNC Chair Dan Hochvert at 725-5040 or by email at dan.hochvert@verizon.net.
The Judicial Qualifications Advisory Committee is seeking candidates for Village Justice. For further information contact Jim O'Connor at 723-7101 or by email at jpojmoc@aol.com.
The necessary forms are available on the Procedure Committee website: www.scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org
The deadline for submission of the biographical information forms is January 17, 2012 at 5 PM.
The Edgemont School Board Nominating Committee (the “SBNC”) will hold an open meeting on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 (snow date - January 26) at 8:00 pm in the Greenville School library to receive nominations for candidates to the Board of Education. Two vacancies will be filled at the general election on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, created by the expiration of the terms of office of Lisa Wexler and Gerald Stoughton. Lisa Wexler will run for a second term. The SBNC invites all Edgemont residents to actively participate in the nominating process by urging qualified residents of our community to seek nomination to the Board of Education, submit nomination letters for candidates, and attend the open meeting on January 25, 2012.
Nominations must be made in a letter addressed as set forth below and must be received before 8:00 pm on January 25, 2012. Nominating letters may also be presented in person at the open meeting held that evening. The letter may be written by any qualified voter of the Edgemont School District other than a member (or spouse of a member) of the SBNC. In addition to the name and address of the candidate, the letter must contain a brief biographical sketch of the candidate, including the candidate’s educational background, occupation, participation in civic affairs and the length of residence in the Edgemont School District, and the grade level of any children attending any Edgemont schools and/or the year of graduation of any children who have previously attended Edgemont schools. The letter must also contain a statement indicating that the candidate has consented to serve if nominated and elected. Please address nominating letters to Marc Ackerman, SBNC Chair, 101 Moorland Drive, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
Blood Drive: Save a life before New Years! Participate in in the blood drive at the Scarsdale Library on Monday, December 19 from 1 to 7 pm. The Scarsdale Library is located at 54 Olmstead Road (corner of Post Road).
Please come and please bring a friend --the life you save may be someone you love.
Please make an appointment, or let us know about when you are coming, by sending an email to libraryblooddrive@gmail.com or contacting us at www.NewYorkBloodCenter.org .
Breast Cancer Research Foundation Holds Hot Pink Luncheon
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The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Fifth Annual Westchester Hot Pink Luncheon was held on Tuesday, November 29 at Brae Burn Country Club. With over 200 guests in attendance, the event raised nearly $240,000, making it the most successful Westchester Luncheon yet. The event was Co-Chaired by Ellen Brown, Debra Ezratty, Sheryl Kaye, Kim Meyers and Linda Plattus. Scarsdale’s Shelly Kivell, founder of the event was honored for her role as a community leader and her commitment to raising awareness. Shelly spoke about her dedication to breast cancer research, and the achievement of the Westchester community funding the first “Westchester Women’s” researcher, Lyndsay Harris, MD from Yale University School of Medicine.
BCRF Scientific Director Larry Norton, MD “interviewed” Dr. Harris on breast cancer research efforts impacting
patient care. Reflecting on what motivated the founding of BCRF, Dr. Norton emphasized that its mandate has always been the advancement of research to benefit patients.
Several topics were discussed with Dr. Harris, including research and technological advances that have led cancer research to shift away from organ-specific studies. Until very recently, the central treatment option for cancer patients was surgery, and therefore cancer research “silos” were organized into breast, lung, colon, and such. However, tremendous advances in the understanding of cancer cell biology have led scientists to observe the commonalities in what promotes the growth and spread of different cancers. Dr. Norton concluded that the aim is to develop new drugs effective against not just one, but several types of cancer.
The discussion also covered a fuller picture of “personalized,” or individualized, cancer care. Dr. Norton spoke about the newly gained information that has enabled scientists to develop therapies that target only cancer cells and spare healthy ones, which is a focus of Dr. Harris’s work.
Evelyn Lauder, the founder and chairman of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation recently passed away. She was remembered as a visionary and an inspiration who encouraged other’s to give by saying, “Endorphins flow when you write a check for charity.” Remembering Lauder, luncheon co-chair Kim Meyers said “Evelyn is the true honoree today.”
Holiday Events in Scarsdale
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Kids of all ages and grown-ups too enjoyed a visit with Santa and the holiday tree lighting in Scarsdale’s Boniface Circle on Friday evening December 2nd. Santa drove up in an antique fire truck and greeted the crowd with a ho, ho, ho. Kids lined up to chat with Santa, take a photo and let him know what was on their holiday list. Lange’s brought out the grill and provided graham crackers and chocolate for s’mores and served hot cocoa as well.
The event was sponsored by the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Scarsdale Village. On the scene were Mayor Miriam Flisser, Carolyn Stevens and Lewis Arlt from the Chamber and a contingent of Scarsdale’s finest.
The event attracted a crowd and everyone cheered when the tree was lit.
In other holiday news, on Thursday December 8th, Village shops will stay open late for holiday shopping accompanied by holiday tunes. On December 22, 23 and 24 there will be three days of free holiday parking in the Village Center at the 90-minute meters. Take care of last minute holiday shopping without fear of getting a ticket.
See our photo gallery from the tree lighting below:
Santa Letters: Ho, Ho, Ho. Santa will be stopping again in Scarsdale to pick up letters from good girls and boys. The deadline for submitting letters is Friday, December 19. Santa’s mailboxes are located at Chase Bank (East Parkway), Post Office, Village Hall and Heathcote Deli. Santa will be looking forward to receiving your letters.
This December, Westchester Reform Temple (WRT) welcomes families with young children to join in two special Chanukah celebrations.
On December 9th, families with preschool aged children are invited to celebrate Chanukah at Tot Shabbat. The program will begin at 5:30 pm with a short, music filled service led by Cantor Mia Fram Davidson. This celebration of the festival of lights will be followed by dinner and a children’s art project. Please RSVP to Ellen Rosenberg at ellen.rosenberg@wrtemple.org.
On the afternoon of December 13th, WRT’s Early Childhood Center (ECC) and The PJ Library Program @WRT will present “Stories of Chanukah” at the ECC’s annual book fair. Preschool guests are invited to attend a 4:00 pm reading of a Chanukah tale with ECC Director, Sue Tolchin; milk and cookies will be served. The book fair will be open that afternoon from 3:45pm to 5:15pm. All proceeds from the fair will benefit the Parent-Child Home Program of Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS).
The PJ Library, an internationally award-winning Jewish family engagement program, launched last fall at Westchester Reform Temple. Created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The PJ Library program sends free, high-quality, age appropriate Jewish books each month to children to read at bedtime with their families. Families interested in signing up for The PJ Library are encouraged to visit www.wrtemple.org for information and a membership application.
Wanted: Holiday Donations for the Troops
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David Kemp, the son of Barbara and Gil Kemp of Scarsdale, and his troops are back in Afghanistan. The Scarsdale Teen Center will be helping them by collecting items in a collection box for users to drop off their donations. Small gifts like socks, candy, gum, books, cds, dental floss, tooth brushes, dry fruit, snack bars and toys are some of the items on the list that they can give to children in the streets of Afghanistan. They will not accept cash or checks. There is a short turn around needed to get it to the troops on time for the holidays. The deadline for the donations is November 29th.
Drop in hours at the Teen Center for anyone who wants to drop off their items in the collection box can do so this Wednesday from 3 - 6, Friday and Saturday from 3 - 11pm. The Teen Center is at 862 Scarsdale Ave, Scarsdale.
For more information contact Eugenia Valliades at 914-722-8358.
