June 8, 2011:  The Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe, Inc., voted at its annual meeting on Wednesday, June 1, to allocate $489,200 in community grants to be awarded in 2011-2012, recognizing the continued increasing needs of social services within the town of Eastchester.  The meeting, which was held at Siwanoy Country Club, was attended by over 30 members of the community and the Community Fund board.

The grants will help support 27 local social service agencies and programs in the community.  Fred Taylor, outgoing president of The Community Fund, thanked all the donors and noted, "The services provided by the agencies we support help everyone in the Bronxville 10708, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe communities.  In this difficult fundraising year, we are even more appreciative of the contributions made by our donors to the annual campaign and annual golf outing."

Romy Coquillette and Carol Conway, co-chairs of the evaluation committee, expressed their appreciation to over 40 Community Fund volunteer evaluators for their efforts this year.  "The dedication and hard work by the committee was truly appreciated and although we had to make some difficult decisions, we are encouraged and inspired by the dedication of our agencies to continue to provide the services needed for our community."

Grant Awards:   Grant recipients include senior citizens' organizations such as the Bronxville, Tuckahoe, and Eastchester senior centers and Gramatan Village; and organizations and programs providing health and counseling services such as the Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corps (EVAC), Lawrence Hospital's flu shot program and cancer survivorship program, the Cancer Support Team, the Bereavement Center, and the Westchester End of Life Coalition.

Grants will also go to drug, alcohol, and mental health counseling and prevention programs including the Counseling Center, Victims Assistance Services, Eastchester and Tuckahoe D.A.R.E., the Juvenile Law Education Project, and The Maxwell Institute.

Youth program grant recipients include the College Careers Fund, which provides college counseling and support to underprivileged youth; the Bronxville Youth Council; Concordia Conservatory, to support its Musical Adventures at the Library program; the Eastchester Child Development Center; the Eastchester Community Action Program; the Eastchester Youth Council Summer Theater; Eastchester Teen Scene; Heartsong; South East Consortium for Special Services; and Tuckahoe Police Youth Programs.

The Community Fund has a strong collaborative partnership with its member agencies and community programs providing technical, financial, marketing, and fund-raising support.

High School Scholarship Awards:   Another highlight of the meeting was the presentation of The Community Fund High School Scholarship Awards.  These scholarships to local graduating seniors are made in memory of Michael Frey and in appreciation for all the support the community receives from its dedicated police, fire, and other emergency workers.   Students are chosen in recognition of their service and dedication in support of their peers at school and the community at large.  This year the recipients are Alexander C. Hartwell, Molly Warnken, and Janelle Weir from Bronxville High School; Regina DiFede and Jamyang Gyaltsen from Eastchester High School; and Dana Marie Cirillo, Paul Luisi, and Mark Sarno from Tuckahoe High School.

Executive Director Melinda Burge, in granting the awards, stated, "This is a very special privilege for The Community Fund each year.   Seeing such wonderful students who demonstrate a real commitment to your community is inspiring and makes The Community Fund proud to recognize the next generation of dedicated community leaders."

New Board Members:   At the annual board meeting, new board members and executive committee members were welcomed into The Community Fund.  Joining the board are Steve Arcano, Neal Denning, Judy Foley, Erin Kretinski, David Kuhns, Joella Lykouretzos, Cathy Needham, Kim Powell, Jim Rotenberg, and Brennan Warble. Retiring from the board are Omar Abboud, Leslie Anagnostakis, Co-Chair of Investments Tom Dempsey, Marketing Chair Mary Escherich, Molly Hendrick, Tom Likovich, Michael McGonigle, Co-Chair of Golf John Near, and Pirkko Stechler.  Tom Likovich, who served as president of the Fund in 2009, was also nominated to the honorary board.

Gayle Haller, incoming president, welcomed the new members and pledged to continue the mission of The Community Fund to support the needs of the Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe community. "I want us to continue to increase awareness of the Fund and the agencies we support; to communicate better the needs of our agencies and that the need is great.  We need to all reach out to our neighbors and tell them about these agencies and how they are here to help all members of our community."

The new slate of officers includes:  Gayle Haller, president; Betsy Goodell, president-elect; Chris Eldridge, secretary; Steve Doherty, treasurer; Larry Bettino and David McBride, investments co-chairs; Susan Kutzin, marketing chair; Bill Dowling and Katharine Outcalt, campaign co-chairs, Bronxville; Margaret Colavita and Joe Dooley, campaign co-chairs, Eastchester; Carol Conway and Romy Coquillette, evaluations co-chairs; and Fred Taylor, golf outing co-chair.

For further information, contact Executive Director Melinda Burge at the office at 914-337-8808 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Grants Awarded and Amounts

Senior Services
Eastchester Senior Program & Services, Eastchester Centers & Services:  $42,000
Senior Citizens Council, Bronxville & Tuckahoe Centers:  $30,000
Gramatan Village, Fee Subsidy Program:  $10,000

Senior Services Subtotal: $82,000

Health Services
EVAC, Ambulance Purchase Program:  $40,000
Lawrence Hospital, Cancer Survivorship Program:  $20,000
Community Flu Shot Program, Lawrence Hospital's Community Program:  $10,000
Westchester End of Life Coalition, Health Proxy Program & Support:  $5,000

Health Services Subtotal:  $75,000

Counseling Services
The Bereavement Center, Support of the Bronxville Tree House:  $35,000
Cancer Support Team, Cancer Counseling & Support:  $25,000
Counseling Center, Fee Subsidy Program:  $30,000
Victims Assistance Services, Crisis Intervention & Prevention Programs:  $18,000
The Maxwell Institute, Fee Subsidy Program:  $15,000

Counseling Services Subtotal:  $123,000

Education and Prevention Services
Andrus Children's Center, ECDC-Tuition Assistance:  $16,000
College Careers Fund, College Support/Counseling:  $18,000
D.A.R.E. Eastchester, Substance Abuse Education: $6,000
D.A.R.E. Tuckahoe, Substance Abuse Education: $1,700
Juvenile Law Education Project, Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program: $6,000
The Maxwell Institute, Drug/Alcohol Prevention Programs: $25,000
Michael Frey Scholarships, Scholarships to Graduating Seniors:  $9,000

Education and Prevention Services Subtotal:  $81,700

Youth Programs
Concordia Conservatory, Musical Adventures at the Library:  $4,125
ECAP, Youth Director Salary, Summer Program:  $46,000
Heartsong, Art & Music Therapy for Children with Disabilities:  $12,500
South East Consortium for Special Services, Recreation Programs for Children with Disabilities:  $17,000
Bronxville Youth Council, Student Leadership/Volunteer Development: $10,000
Eastchester Youth Council, Youth Summer Theater:  $10,000
Eastchester Teen Scene, Programs for Teens in BET area:  $5,000
Tuckahoe Police Youth Programs, Community Youth Programs & Bike Safety Day:  $7,800

Youth Programs Subtotal:  $112,500

Special Projects Discretionary Fund:  $15,000

TOTAL 2011-2012 AGENCY GRANTS AND PROGRAMS:  $489,200