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Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
265 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.949.9300
info@westchesterarc.org
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Golfing for Kids is a Swinging Success
The crew getting ready for a great day.
Seventeen community businesses sponsored the event.
The seventh annual Golfing for Kids benefit, held on June 5 at the Westchester Hills Golf Club in White Plains, netted over $100,000 for pre-schoolers with developmental disabilities. Two hundred supporters attended the event, co-sponsored by The Children’s School for Early Development and the Westchester Arc Foundation.
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| From left: Charles Porcaro, Westchester Arc human resources coordinator; Ric Swierat, Westchester Arc executive director; John Kemmer, NYSARC, and Richard Landau, Jackson & Lewis. | Parent and dinner sponsor Keith Cox of Cox Nissan tallys up his scorecard after a fantastic day of golf. |
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| Parent Jazmine Cox thanks the Children’s School for its “caring touch.” | Parent Annette Mauro praises the pre-school’s early intervention services. |
Said parent Jazmine Cox, “My husband and I would always watch until the school bus was out of sight. It was really hard to let go because our daughter was so little,” she said. “We are so grateful to the school and staff, and we’re always going to be here for you—for any fundraiser or anything you need us for.”
Annette Mauro, whose daughter is about to enter middle school, credited the pre-school with helping the youngster develop speech and motor skills. She thanked staff for “always being there” and vowed to stay connected for years to come.
Matt Valenzano of Exceptional Parent Magazine is recognized by Fran Porcaro of the pre-school.
Guest of honor Matt Valenzano, publisher of Exceptional Parent Magazine, was recognized for “sharing the pre-school’s mission.” The publication recently detailed the pre-school’s innovative methods. “The Children’s School and Exceptional Parent are on the same page,” comments Assistant Executive Director Fran Porcaro. “We both provide information, support and outreach. We both want the best for children with developmental disabilities and their families.”
Golfing for Kids Co-Chair Bob Paladino was cited for his leadership, dating from the event’s earliest days. Over the past seven years, he has recruited numerous financial sponsors and has been instrumental in securing Westchester Hills Golf Club as a location.
Event Co-Chair Bob Paladino gets the crowd bidding during the evening’s live auction.
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| Golfing for Kids is a day of friends and family. From left: Armand Durastanti, event Co-Chair Gene Pocaro and Bill Porcaro. | Children’s School Director Fran Porcaro presents Bob Paladino, Golfing for Kids Co-Chair, with a special achievement award. |
A live auction got the crowd swinging. One heavy hitter scored a dream vacation at Ireland’s Ashford & Drumoland Castles with a bid of $4,600. Television lovers waged a friendly bidding war over Saturday Night Live tickets, while sports enthusiasts enjoyed competing for a signed Peyton Manning jersey, racecar driving lessons and a day on the green at the top-rated Hudson National Golf Club in Croton-on-Hudson.
The night’s silent auction offered more fabulous prizes, including Florida, New England and North Carolina getaways, sunglasses with a built-in MP3 player, a foldable bike and a consultation with an English gardener.
“This was our best Golfing for Kids yet,” says Barbara Spatola, pre-school systems and operations manager. “Beautiful weather, good spirits and a great cause—you couldn’t ask for a better day.”
Checking out the silent auction.
After a long day on the green, golfers enjoy a great dinner.
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Children's School staff and parents show their support. From left: Geri Friedman-Lyons and Robin Gersten, social workers; Janet Abinanti, Westchester Arc board member; Leslie Jeris, Westchester Arc board member and former pre-school P.TA. president. |
Ralph Robins wins a dream vacation at Ashford & Drumoland Castles in Ireland. |
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