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Westchester Arc
Herbert Katzenberg Center
121 Westmoreland Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 949-9300
info@westchesterarc.org
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Chefs from 22 of the area’s finest restaurants pose for the camera before serving their signature dishes.
A Matter of Taste 4 Sizzles
Agency Names New Building
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| Chefs cook up their favorite delicacies. |
“I’m so excited to volunteer, I rushed straight from work to get here,” boasted Michael G., while helping to bus tables at A Matter of Taste 4, held October 17 at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York.
Michael’s words echoed the sentiments of the 250 guests who contributed to a night of glamour and good will. Friends caught up while sampling such dishes as sea scallops with butternut squash risotto and roast figs with gorgonzola. Over 30 international wines and specialty beers were available for sipping. All food, wine and culinary talent were donated by local entrepreneurs. (Click here for list.) Music was provided by The Jazz Conspiracy. Sponsored by The Westchester Arc Foundation, the evening raised over $100,000.
“This is one of my favorite events,” commented Cynthia Ferguson. “It’s a great way to enjoy some delicious food and enjoy one another’s company, while supporting a wonderful cause.”
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| (From left) Roberta Lieber; Phyllis Lombardi, Westchester Arc board member, and Anne Majsak, Westchester Arc president. |
“We are very happy to be here,” added Mark Fitzgerald of Cool Beans, Inc. “What a great way to be introduced to the important work of Westchester Arc.”
During a brief program, Westchester Arc Executive Director Ric Swierat described the significance of the agency’s Gateway to the Community, which is scheduled to open in Hawthorne, New York, early next year. Explaining that the center will be more than “bricks and mortar,” he called it “a metaphor for the mission of Westchester Arc. It represents opportunities, dreams, choices, enriched lives, self-expression and advocacy for full community involvement.”
It was then announced that the building will be named The Gleeson-Israel Center in recognition of the generosity of Justin Israel and Gerard Gleeson. It was a bequest by Mr. Gleeson that made the land purchase possible. In addition, Mr. Israel was honored with a lifetime achievement award recognizing over 50 years of commitment to the agency and ongoing fundraising leadership.
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| Westchester Arc Foundation President Katharine Wilson Conroy honors Justin Israel with a lifetime achievement award. |
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| (From left) Honoree Justin Israel, Westchester Arc Foundation board member, and wife Emel; Mitchell Benerofe, capital campaign co-chair, and Ric Swierat, Westchester Arc executive director.
Quoting poet Carl Sandburg, Mr. Israel told the crowd, “‘Nothing happens unless first we dream.’ What started with a handful of parents meeting in an unheated basement has become a wonderful agency that fulfills the dreams of people with disabilities and their families.” |
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| Honoree Al Donellan and Bill Cuddy, Matter of Taste 4 co-chair. enjoy the evening. |
Al Donnellan, a founding partner of the law firm of DelBello, Donnellan, Weingarten, Wise & Wiederkehr, LLP, received the agency’s community leader award. Mr. Donnellan has been involved in some of the most complex real estate projects in Westchester and has been instrumental in the sale of Westchester Arc’s 121 Westmoreland Avenue offices.
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| Event co-chair Peter Herrero is interviewed by The Journal News. |
Bill Cuddy, of CB Richard Ellis, Peter Herrero, president and owner of the New York Hospitality Group, and David Pellon, were event co-chairmen. Former New York State Senator Nick Spano served as honorary chairman.
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(From left) Co-chairs Dave Pellon and Peter Herrero receive artwork by an individual with developmental disabilities from Executive Director Ric Swierat. |
A silent auction offered excursions to Hawaii, Cancun and Key West, a Colorado ski vacation, a hot air balloon ride and much more.
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| Guests take a closer look at silent auction items, making final bids before the closing bell. |
Westchester Arc’s self-advocates played an active role in the evening’s events, contributing works of art that were presented to the honorees and co-chairs and sold in the silent auction. They also acted as wait staff, greeted guests, stuffed gift bags and sold raffle tickets.
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Lynn B. sold raffle tickets in the community. |
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| Darnell W. and Michael G. bused tables at the event. |
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| Customer Service Council President Chinika T. worked hard to make the event a success. | Without Walls participants work together to packover 300 bags prior to the event. |
A week before the event, Lynn B. and Vincent S. sold raffle tickets at the Gateway Building in White Plains.
“Excuse me, sir. Would you like to help people with disabilities?” began Lynn with a smile.
“How can I refuse?” replied one gentleman.
Using their charm and grace, Lynn and Vincent scored $300 in raffle tickets over a three-day period.
“I like doing this,” adds Lynn. “I get to help our good cause and talk to people. Plus, I’m out in the community and that’s always fun.”
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Self-advocate Brian M. pulls the winning raffle ticket for a 36-inch plasma high definition tv with Fran Higgins, Westchester Arc Foundation's director of special events. |
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| Volunteer Kim S. poses with Assemblyman Michael Spano (D-Yonkers). |
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| John and Susan Walker, Westchester Arc board member, with Anne and Mort Steinberg, Westchester Arc board member. |
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| (From left) Anthony Assalone, Westchester Arc board member; Barbara Penella; Suzanne Mehra; Brian Mehra; Mohan Mehra, former Westchester Arc president, and Beth Beck, Co-chair, Capital Campaign committee. |
Connie Cappelli and David Gaynes, enjoyed wine provided by The Grape Exchange. |
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Richard Bird, whose design firm volunteers many hours to supporting the Westchester Arc website, with wife Virginia. |
(From left) Rochelle Kessler; Abby Reuben, Westchester Arc board member, and Cynthia Ferguson, Matter of Taste 4 committee member. |
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Larry McNaughton, Westchester Arc Foundation board member, samples wines from around the world. |
Mark and Matt Fitzgerald of Cool Beans, Inc., which donated treats for the event's gift bags. |
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Guests received gift bags contain- |
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