By Nancy Vittorini
May 9, 2018: On the evening of May 4, with spring in full bloom, the Bronxville Field Club was buzzing with a tremendous turnout for The Counseling Center’s annual benefit, honoring community leaders Sarah and Bob Underhill.
Marilynn Hill said it best as she paid tribute to the honorees: "No two people could better exemplify what tonight’s award is about--dedication to a caring community that surrounds, supports, and elevates its fellow members. In the 25 years Sarah and Bob [Underhill] have lived here as a couple, they have represented the highest levels of leadership in countless organizations that foster the values that make the larger Bronxville community so special and different from many other communities. This commitment has come from their personal values of integrity, compassion, and service to others and from their personal dedication and desire to ensure that the cornerstone institutions of this community are supported and sustained – education, government, religion, culture, and the arts, a healthy environment, and family, in both its individual and community senses. And, as a historian, I have to add one more important pillar: respect for history and tradition. As the saying goes, ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ and these two come from several generations of family who have been Bronxville community-builders through personal service.”
The Underhills, with their years and breadth of service, captured a crowd of more than 160, all wishing to support and thank them for all the good they have done. A live auction, conducted by board members Richard Pink and Margaret Murtagh, and a silent auction featuring a number of attractive and well-bid items--tickets to Broadway hits Frozen, My Fair Lady, and Carousel, a golf outing at Fishers Island, dinners, wine, and more--all contributed to the evening’s fundraising success.
Helping achieve that goal was the support of event underwriters Marilynn and John Hill, Ellie and Jay Urstadt, Fran and Dave Harris, and Maureen and Bill Barton. "If every patient could afford the full cost of therapy, we would not need to have a benefit or do any other fundraising. As it happens, many patients need help with the costs, so our board raises money to provide fee subsidies. Through the generosity of all our donors and grantors, The Counseling Center provided over 1,100 hours of subsidized therapy last year, and this year we expect to exceed that number,” noted Rosanne Welshimer, The Counseling Center’s board chair.
The executive director of the center, Virgil Roberson, introduced the staff of highly skilled psychotherapists and gave special thanks for the success of the evening to Phia Primps and Carol Godfrey, event co-chairs. “Their hard work, teamwork, and attention to detail made this a record-setting event. We are exceedingly grateful for their energy, enthusiasm, and continuing commitment to The Counseling Center.”
Pictured here: Top photo (L to R): Rosanne Welshhimer, Bob Underhill, Sarah Underhill, Carol Godfry, and Phia Primps. Photo in text: front row: Ellie and Jay Urstadt; back row: Marilynn and John Hill, Sarah and Bob Underhill, and Fran and David Harris.
Photo courtesy Counseling Center
Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes press releases, statements, and articles from local institutions, officeholders, candidates, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.
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.”