
By Grace McSherry, Student, Bronxville High School
Jun. 5, 2019: The Hearts to Home Club of Bronxville High School continued its spring tradition and sponsored several events to show its support and appreciation for United States servicemen and women and their families.
On Wednesday, March 27, Bronxville students gathered after school hours to participate in a Hearts to Home phone-a-thon to raise funds for a spring build-a-bike event. Students made calls to people in the local area seeking contributions.
“The student volunteers really stepped up and had fun, and the donors were really enthusiastic about supporting the cause,” said high school student Caroline McGrath.
Separately, on Friday, April 26, approximately 50 students assembled at the Bronxville School for kids bingo, a fun night of bingo and fundraising.
Thanks to the success of these events, Hearts to Home raised over $4,500 to purchase unassembled bicycles and helmets.
A few weeks later, on Saturday morning, April 27, Hearts to Home held its annual build-a-bike event. Student volunteers including members of the golf and tennis teams joined the fourth-grade Girl Scouts from troops 1506 and 1509 and other members of the community to roll up their sleeves and assemble 40 bicycles.
Members of the USO of Metropolitan NYC also were in attendance to show their support.
“What a fantastic event. It’s inspiring to see members of the Bronxville community of all ages come together to support and appreciate military families,” said Bronxville native Didi Romley, the USO’s chief development officer.
These events could not have happened without the leadership of Pam Kohlhoff, a third-grade teacher at Bronxville Elementary School. “Organizing the annual bike build each year has been a highlight of my career. I love working closely with the USO and the Bronxville students to prepare for this event. I believe it is very important to recognize the work done by our military and to help support their families. Men and women who serve in our military serve a very important role in our nation’s security and make enormous sacrifices to do their job both here and overseas. There is nothing more important,” said Mrs. Kohlhoff, who will be retiring this year after 23 years teaching in Bronxville. Her leadership and enthusiastic support of Bronxville’s Hearts to Home Club has been instrumental to the success of the group’s mission and has had a significant impact on the community.
In 2008, a group of Bronxville high school students founded the Hearts to Home Club with the goal of helping American servicemen and women to keep in contact with their families during deployment by sending them prepaid telephone calling cards. More recently, Hearts to Home has broadened its mission to provide support to members of the military returning from active duty and local military families.
Pictured here: Participants in the bike build, which was held on April 27 at the Bronxville School.
Photo courtesy Pam Kohlhoff
Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
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Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
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Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
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Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
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.”
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Bronxville 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.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
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 mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
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LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
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
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
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COUNSELING
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
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
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
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 Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
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.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
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.”