Open Door Francia Ortiz (Mt. Kisco Site Manager), Anita Wilenka (chief Operating Officer), Grace Beltran (Marketing Director), Elinor Griffith (Chappaqua Interfaith Council), and Desta Lakew (Director of Development)  
Monday, December 3, 2012
by Grace Beltran

At the Chappaqua Interfaith Council’s recent Thanksgiving Service and Dinner, one of the speakers was Grace Beltran, the Marketing Director for the Open Door Family Medical Centers. (They provide low-cost health care for 40,000 people in Westchester.) As part of her remarks Grace explained that as a youngster in Chappaqua she’d received a much-treasured holiday toy from Open Door’s annual Holiday Toy Drive.  If you’d like to be part of this year’s Toy Drive, details are included after Grace’s story of coming to America….

October 26, 2012
by Pamela Thornton

The Rotary Club of Chappaqua will host a wine tasting to benefit the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CVAC) on Wednesday, November 7th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Crabtree’s Kittle House.  Tickets may be purchased in advance for $45 ($90 per couple) or at the door for $50 ($100 per couple).

See map of participants’ booths in “Read more…”
September 14, 2012

The Chappaqua Rotary’s Community Day takes place on Saturday, September 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Chappaqua Train Station. There will be rides for the children, games, entertainment, food, free books from the library, and information about the many services available to the community.

See more in Photo Gallery
Monday, May 21, 2012
by Christine Yeres

Last Saturday the Chappaqua Fire Department held its annual inspection.  Back in the 1800s, when fire companies were few and far between, they relied on each other for mutual aid, sharing equipment and manpower.  Often fires took more than one company to handle.

More photos of last year’s CSSP graduation at the Community Center in “Read more…”
May 11, 2012
by Diane Albert

Want to give your family a special experience this summer? Host a Chappaqua Summer Scholarship student for ten week days and feel good, have fun, and participate in a program that is unique to Chappaqua.

April 27, 2012
by Stuart Berg

The Spring Blood Drive at Temple Beth El on Route 117 in Chappaqua will take place on Sunday, May 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  There is an acute blood shortage in the Metropolitan area. I even received a text from the New York Blood Center yesterday looking for platelet donors. Walk-ins are gladly accepted but the drive will run smoother if you can make an appointment.

Last Sunday’s CPR class of Roaring Brook moms at CVAC
Monday, April 16, 2012

Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corp (CVAC) will hold its first-ever community-wide Open House for New Castle residents.  This fun-filled family event will help community members get a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes at CVAC.  Last week, CVAC’s ambulance and crew members made a bee-line to eight homes in New Castle, treating children, adults and seniors for stroke, chest pain, abdominal pain, respiratory illness, head injury, snycopy (that’s fainting) and general illness.  They also responded to a fire call to “stand by” for injuries.

See NCCMC video of CVAC members in “Read more…”
March 12, 2012

The Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps will hold two open houses to recruit Youth Corps members: On Tuesday, March 13, and Tuesday, March 20th, both from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Candidates must be16 years of age by the fall of 2012. A guardian or parent must accompany Youth Corps candidates to the open house.

March 9, 2012
by Michel Seligman

Greeley students will have the chance TODAY, Friday, March 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Academic Commons, to meet with representatives from more than 20 local non-profit organizations to discuss volunteer opportunities.

The Child Abuse Prevention Center of NY Announces Fall Volunteer Training Dates; Learn Important Social Skills While Helping and Empowering Parents at Risk
January 13, 2012

The Child Abuse Prevention Center of New York, located in White Plains, is calling for Parent Aide Volunteers to assist parents “at risk” for abusing their children. No prior experience is necessary and volunteers are welcome from throughout Westchester and surrounding Counties. UPDATE Tues. Jan. 17: If you schedule an orientation before January 21, you’ll be in time to attend two Saturday training sessions on January 21 and 28.

December 30, 2011
by Marci Garson

When I first met Darnell,* his dark eyes darted downward as he politely shook my hand. His social worker told me that avoiding eye contact is a defense mechanism for this troubled 11 year-old.

December 9, 2011

Editor’s Note: New Castle’s residents are inventive and generous.  This time of year, consider either contributing dollars to these many home-grown organizations that enrich our lives (or make life possible)—or give them the gift of you, by joining them.  Or do both!  Here’s a list now, at year’s end, with which to start up something beautiful.  Feel free to add to our list in “Comments.”

Monday, December 12, 2011
by Stu Berg and Gene Nadel

We hope that you are available, willing and able to roll up your sleeve for what will be a holiday “Gift of Life”!  Temple Beth El’s Fall Blood Drive will take place at the Temple on 220 South Bedford Road this Sunday, December 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sign up for the January 29 class
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
by Lisa Ballou

The Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CVAC) held its first American Heart Association “Family and Friends” CPR course at the CVAC headquarters. More than 40 eager parents, babysitters, teachers and other New Castle neighbors learned how to help save lives using mannequins, defibrillators and breathing devices. The 1.5-hour course is open to the New Castle community.

See more photos of the day (and prep before) in “Read more…” and Photo Gallery.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
by Linda McGetrick

If you were driving around Chappaqua on Veterans Day last Friday, you may have noticed a lot of green clad girls frantically running up to houses carrying wonderful packages full of goodies.  No, it wasn’t an alien invasion; it was Veteran’s Day in Chappaqua.