Written by Francine Schwadel, Publicity Chair, Bronxville PTA    

Mar. 25, 2015: The Bronxville School PTA once again donated cash and nonperishable food collected at its Family Fun Day to local programs run by The Junior League of Bronxville.

This year, the PTA donated the $1,800 raised at the March 7 event to the Junior League's mobile food pantry program. Through this program, the Junior League works with the Food Bank for Westchester's Kraft Mobile Food Pantry and sponsors deliveries of fresh meat, dairy products, and fresh vegetables to at-risk families.

The PTA also collected nonperishable food at the event, which it donated to St. Peter's Child Care Center in Yonkers, where Junior League members hand out food in a partnership with the Food Bank for Westchester's backpack program and run an enrichment program for children.

Family Fun Day co-chairs Jane Scotti, Jennifer Duffy, and Mary Preusse ran the event for the second year in a row. "One aspect we all enjoy about Family Fun Day is being able to involve children of all ages from the Bronxville community in the event," Jane said. "Elementary students help collect coins and pantry goods to donate to other children in need and then thoroughly enjoy themselves at the carnival."

"Family Fun Day is not only fun, but also an effective way to introduce the importance of volunteerism among our youngest students," Mary added. "They had a great time but were also so proud to bring their cup of change to help other kids."

The Elementary School Student Council, led by Justin Chao and Susan Engelhardt, distributed the cups to the elementary school students to use to collect the coins and put up flyers at the school to promote Family Fun Day. Middle school students helped run the carnival games and arts and crafts, and a high school student also helped out.

At the event, the kids got to enjoy old-fashioned carnival games and mirrors, bouncy castles, an inflatable obstacle course, arts and crafts, spin art, and face painting by Jennifer Duffy and Nathalie George. There were also free popcorn and cotton candy.

"It's a great way for you and your family to have some fun," said Jane's son, Chris, who is a fifth-grader. "It's a really great thing."

The PTA has donated money raised at Family Fun Day events to Junior League programs for the past six years. Last year, the donations went to the Junior League's Kids in the Kitchen program at Westhab, which promotes childhood health and wellness.

"The Junior League of Bronxville would like to thank the Bronxville School PTA for supporting our efforts to stamp out hunger in Southern Westchester," said Junior League president Erica Sevilla. "The money raised from the carnival will support our mobile food pantry program . . . [which] provides fresh, nutritious food for at-risk families in Mount Vernon and Yonkers."

Pictured here: Bronxville students attending Family Fun Night.

Photo courtesy Francine Schwadel, Publicity Chair, Bronxville PTA