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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
24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
914.949.8200
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Annual Picnic
Celebrates Staff
Despite gloomy skies, 450 Westchester Arc staffers, family members and friends attended the ninth annual staff picnic on August 17 at Rye Playland. The event was sponsored by the agency’s diversity committee, which is dedicated to celebrating the uniqueness of each Westchester Arc employee.
Rain doesn’t dampen the fun.
Staff showcased their culinary talents at lunchtime, contributing homemade specialties ranging from potato surprise to banana split brownie pizza. Lori Calandruccio, manager of community options, made oatmeal, chocolate and caramel bars, which one guest described as “out of this world.”
Afterwards, picnickers rode the Dragon Coaster, Ferris Wheel, bumper cars and other park attractions. “I love watching my son go on the rides. Having the picnic at Playland is such a great idea,” commented Fran Higgins, assistant executive director of the Westchester Arc Foundation.
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| Family and friends enjoy a day of fun. | |
Guests also played musical chairs and competed in a hot dog eating contest. D.J. Joe Shane of Mobile Music kept the party going and a staff raffle offered cash prizes, a George Foreman Grill, Outback gift certificates and other goodies.
“The picnic is one of the agency’s most important events,” comments diversity committee chair Kristina Fiorentino. “It brings staff from all departments together and that helps create a sense of camaraderie. I think this was one of the best picnics yet, and I’m very thankful to all committee members who put in much time and effort to make the day a success.”
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| Ric Swierat, Westchester Arc executive director, catches up with staffers. | |
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| While at Playland, guests went on rides, played games and took in live entertainment. | |
Sonia Ramirez, job coach, and Martha Pisculli, outreach coordinator, choose a lucky raffle winner.
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