Written by Jane Elizabeth Ircha, Parent Organizer, Toys for Tots
Dec. 10, 2014: The village of Bronxville is starting to come alive with Christmas décor, traditions, and spirit. The downtown business district looks like an old-fashioned village of yesteryear, and our shops are bustling with shoppers going about their holiday errands.
As you pass Value Drugs, the Bronxville Fitness Club, the Eliza Corwin Frost Child Center, or Aegis Capital, you will notice Toys for Tots drop-off boxes on display.
Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy for a child from birth to age 18. Presents for teenage boys and girls are most needed. Village residents Sasha and Kirsten Ircha, grades 10 and 8 at The Bronxville School, are spearheading this village tradition of generosity. In addition, many students in Bronxville have contributed to making this toy drive a huge success each year.
"A new toy at Christmas gives a child hope and a feeling that the world is kind," said Sasha Ircha. "Last year, the outpouring of generosity from village adults, as well as friends and teammates, was so overwhelming that the drop-off boxes had to be emptied several times a week."
Kirsten added, "We collected over 1,000 toys last year that were then distributed to various children's organizations in the area, and this year we would love to surpass this. Bronxville and its surrounding communities are wonderful at sharing with those in need." These hard economic times have been especially difficult on families; sixteen million children are living in poverty in the United States.
The primary mission of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.
The drive in the village is continuing until December 24, so please consider donating a toy that will be appreciated by a child in need.
The following is a list of recipients of the Toys for Tots donations:
Andrus Children's Home
Graham-Windham Children's Home
Leake & Watts Children's Home
Pleasantville Cottages Children's Home
Family Services Society of Yonkers
Blythedale Children's Hospital
Westchester County Social Services
Family Services Society of Westchester
Westchester Medical Center Children's Ward
Westchester County Social Services / Homeless
Holy Spirit Church – Ossining
Greenburgh Health Center
IFCA Children's Support Program
Community Action Program
White Plains Child Day Care Centers
Community Housing Innovations
Planned Community Living
Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center
There are many others not listed.
Pictured here: For the fourth straight year, students are collecting for the Toys for Tots program.
Photo courtesy Jane Elizabeth Ircha, Parent Organizer, Toys for Tots
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1993, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not for profit organization administered by a Board of Directors. Its mission is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. The BBC uses the dollars raised in its annual spring solicitation letter to residents to fund the mum, tulip and summer flower plantings downtown and at traffic intersections, as well as the summer hanging baskets. Every few years the group spearheads such major endeavors as the renovation of Leonard Morange Square on the west side of the railroad tracks and the beautification of the Lawrence Hospital traffic circle, which included the addition of plants and the building of the fountain that now makes a gracious western portal to our town. The BBC also works with other civic groups to monitor the aesthetics of retail signage, the consistency of sidewalk materials, and litter and graffiti. During Beautify Bronxville Week, the BBC sponsors a poetry reading and works with Scout groups on the annual village clean-up.
Bronxville Beautification Council
PO Box 127
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-6123
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
There are several Boy Scout Troops in Bronxville, including Troops 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Bronxvillle Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. Anyone who is interested in the Bronxville and its history can become a member; varying levels of membership are available.
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
PO Box 989
Bronxville, New York 10708
http://bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org/
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. The Foundation raises money each year through donations from school families, community members, and alumni, among others.These contributions fund grants that provide cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and curriculum and other resources that are beyond the scope of public school funding.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0515
https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/
Bronxville Women’s Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
www.bronxvillewomensclub.org
Bronxville Youth Council
The Bronxville Youth Council provides volunteer and leadership opportunities for high school students in the village of Bronxville.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0500 ext 1789
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library’s regular budget and perform other services.
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The mission of the Rotary Club of Bronxville is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster (1) the development of friendships within the community as an opportunity for service, (2) high ethical standards in business and professions, (3) the application of the ideal of service of each member to his personal and business and community life and (4) the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship.”
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment, to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”