Annual Community Leaders’ Roundtable

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JUNIOR LEAGUE OF PELHAM MAKES CONNECTIONS WITH A CAUSE AT ANNUAL COMMUNITY LEADERS’ ROUND TABLE Over 20 Community Leaders Attend October 23, 2007 Pelham Mayor Ed Hotchkiss and Superintendent of Schools Charles Wilson were just two community leaders who attended the Junior League of Pelham’s annual Community Leaders’ Round Table, held at the Pelham Art Center on October 22. In total, twenty-one leaders from eighteen community organizations from Pelham and the surrounding communities made “Connections with a Cause” at the meeting, whose goal is not only to bring together leaders to foster discussion about local initiatives and issues, but also to coordinate project efforts where appropriate. Throughout the evening, community leaders learned two ways their organizations could connect to the JLP’s many resources, either through the JLP Grants Program or the Done in a Day/Night Project. More “connections” were made as Colleen Walsh, past JLP President (2004-05) led the Round Table discussion. Community leaders were encouraged to get the word out about the specific needs and issues important to their organizations.  “I salute and admire the efforts of each leader who attended the Round Table. They are a passionate and committed group of individuals from a wide range of organizations with a common cause – for the betterment of Pelham and the surrounding communities,” said Susan Reische, Vice President of JLP Community Affairs.  Community organizations in attendance included Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, Community Service Associates, Family Services of Westchester, Pelham Rotary, Pelham Board of Education, Pelham Schools, Pelham Manor Police Department, Pelham PTA Council, Pelham Boy Scouts, The Wartburg Adult Care Community, The Pelham Weekly, Veteran’s Affairs of the Bronx, Village of Pelham, Pelham Education Foundation, Pelham Meals on Wheels, The Danny Fund, Pelham Public Library and Westchester Children’s Association. After the meeting many of the groups connected and expressed an interest in working together on projects down the road. Introduced in 2005, the JLP Community Grants program establishes criteria by which not-for-profit community organizations within our community can apply for grants on an annual basis.  JLP Community Grants are awarded to projects and programs that are aligned with the League’s mission, vision and focus areas of healthy families, education and the improvement of Pelham.  Up to $5,000 will be distributed in total for 2008, with individual grants ranging from $100 and up. For more information or for an application, contact Lisa Koonce, JLP Community Grant Manager atlkoonce@babcockgalleries.com. The Done in a Day/Done in a Night Project is a new JLP community offering that provides JLP trained volunteer help on short-term projects throughout the year. To apply for support, send an email with a description of the project, time commitment, anticipated number of volunteers and contact information to: Pat O’Byrne atpobyrne2001@yahoo.comor Kara McLoughlin at karamcloughlin@optonline.net. Three projects will be accepted from now through May 2008 and are subject to JLP Board approval.  The Junior League of Pelham is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. # # #Press Contact: Anneliese Turck,914-813-3496orAVL10@hotmail.com