By Victoria Thiessen, Communications VP
Dec. 14, 2022: The Junior League of Bronxville (JLB) hosted its inaugural "Hometown Holiday Fair" on December 1. The fundraiser took place in two formats - daytime and evening - and both were held within a heated tent in the private parking lot of event sponsor Houlihan Lawrence - Bronxville Brokerage. The JLB conceptualized this fundraiser in order to highlight its vision of “Mobilizing Women to Ignite & Inspire Community Change” within its service area of Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers and to better engage the community.
The official opening of the fair commenced with a ribbon cutting that was attended by Mayor Mary Marvin of Bronxville, Houlihan Lawrence Bronxville Branch Manager Victoria Bulkley, JLB President Kristin Smith, and a number of JLB volunteers and community partners.
Among the highlights were the giant, cardboard gingerbread homes that were designed and created by five of the JLB’s long-standing community partners - Bundles of Joy, Eastchester Community Action Partnership (ECAP), Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Feeding Westchester, and Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE). A number of daytime attendees were also able to pick up their pre-ordered, edible gingerbread homes made by Topps Bakery at Bronxville, who donated a percentage of the proceeds to the JLB.
While the daytime event was open admission, the evening party was a ticketed event that sold out within five days after sales launched in October. Guests at that part of the event enjoyed bites and beverages served by Bronxville-favorite Pete's Park Place Tavern and were treated to the sounds of local band and sponsor Beautiful Buzz. They performed everything from ‘80s rock to a few seasonal surprises with guest singers!
Both events included a marketplace of vendors and a wreath raffle comprising six specially designed delights that had prizes from an array of sponsors and local businesses. Two additional event sponsors included TellTeresa, founded by Teresa Brady of Bronxville, and Prep Academy Tutors, run by locals Sarah Loader and Vanessa O’Friel.
The JLB is extremely proud of the support it receives from all local, small, and, especially, women-owned businesses.
The event was overseen by Development Task Force Chair and past President Michelle Schoulder. She was supported by JLB Co-Chairs Julie Daher and Meredith Grant. There was an entire team of JLB volunteers that worked tirelessly to pull together this new concept, including Project Manager Mandy Galati and Event Captains Beth Atsalis, Janice Baio, and Sessa von Richthofen, to name a few.
Money raised through this fundraiser supports the JLB’s outreach efforts across its five service areas. This includes, as examples, two monthly Mobile Food Pantries run in conjunction with Feeding Westchester, the Joyful Closet (based in a Mount Vernon school that supports many homeless students) with partner Bundles of Joy, a monthly Book Nook after-school reading program at ECAP in Tuckahoe, and a number of other ongoing and ad hoc outreach projects that address local needs.
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.m or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
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.”
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information
Bronxville 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.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
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 mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
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
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
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
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
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
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 Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
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.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
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.”