May 28, 2014: The much-anticipated and long-overdue Battle of the Bronxville Country Clubs is finally taking place. On Saturday, June 7, Bronxville residents will finally see which club rules the courts: the Bronxville Field Club or Siwanoy Country Club.
Pros from each club will be playing in an exciting doubles exhibition, and everyone is invited to come and watch the fun.
For years, the clubs have wanted to have a tennis showdown; now they are finally doing so, but for a good cause. A group of Bronxville High School students will be raising funds to help run a summer camp for underprivileged kids.
Abigail Roesser, Chrissy Simon, and Malcolm Roesser founded Racquets for Life in July of 2013 when they noticed that a large group of young children had very little to keep them busy during their summer break. "We believe that sports provide a strong foundation for a healthy childhood. Our mission is to help kids increase their self-esteem and self-discipline. We aim to give children who are disadvantaged an outlet to reduce their stress, teach them how to share and work together, and to overcome challenges in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment," stated Abigail Roesser, co-president of the organization.
The kids have teamed up with a local residential treatment program, Andrus, in Yonkers. Andrus is a center that cares for boys and girls from a broad range of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds who have faced many challenges, including trauma and stress, throughout their short lives.
The students believe that their program can be part of the recovery and healing of these children and will be running a summer camp for approximately 30 of the children from Andrus. Their ultimate goal is to expand the program to help as many kids as possible and run year-round tennis clinics in addition to the summer camp.
It doesn't cost anything to watch the exhibition, but the kids are hoping viewers will bid on their silent auction items as well as buy raffle tickets for a drawing to be held at the exhibition (first prize is an iPad Air.)
According to Chrissy Simon, "We still need many things to make this camp a success and are hoping to spread the word that we welcome the donation of tennis racquets, tennis balls, gently used tennis shoes, and athletic wear (for kids ages 5 to 13 years), as well as monetary donations."
The exhibition is being held at the tennis courts at Siwanoy Country Club from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Saturday, June 7.
Admission is free; however, the club wants to make sure it has the proper amount of seating and is requesting that anyone interested in attending please rsvp to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 914-337-0549 so the club can get a head count.
If you cannot make the exhibition and wish to make a donation, please drop off any items at (or mail them to) 7 Lookout Avenue in Bronxville. Tax-deductible donations can be made out to Shelter Pet Alliance with the words "Racquets for Life" written in the memo line.
Anyone wanting to purchase a raffle ticket with the first prize of an iPad Air ($5 per ticket or five tickets for $20) or to ask any questions can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 914-312-7403; see also www.racquetsforlife.org for more information.
Both the clubs and the charity are hoping to make this an annual event, so please come out and show your support.
Pictured here (L to R): Chrissy Simon, Malcolm Roesser, and Abigail Roesser.
Photo courtesy Allison Roesser
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.”