Kelly Shine, President-Elect; Jamie Powell Schwartz, 2024-2025 President, and Jennifer Carella, Executive Vice-President
By Patricia Wahl with photography by Amanda Gentile Photography LLC
March 26, 2025: The Junior League of Bronxville (JLB) hosted its Annual Bids to Benefit Fundraiser, Twilight in the Tropics, on Friday, March 7th, at the Bronxville Field Club (BFC). Attendees enjoyed delicious tropical-themed food, refreshing drinks, and dancing to the vibrant rhythms of Lulada Club, a New York-based all-women salsa orchestra.
Through ticket sales, donations, a silent auction, and the purchase of curated experiences, Twilight in the Tropics enhanced the JLB’s mission to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.
The event was coordinated by 2024-25 Fundraising Vice President Taylor Gari with assistance from Event Chair Elaine Harris-Whalen and the JLB's Fundraising Council.

Among the many items that attendees and other patrons bid on were a seven-night stay at Seaspeak House in Nevis, generously underwritten by Seaspeak House Ltd., wine from Bronxville Wines & Spirits, a private pickleball class at the BFC, a one-year membership to Beauty & Fly Aesthetic Wellness, classes at Orangetheory Fitness, a personal training package from Changes Health & Fitness, skin care products and treatment from Skin Confident Beauty & Skin Spa, a private class at Yoga Haven, Mets Tickets given by Mayer Brown LLP, Mahjong instruction from Moms4MahJ, Phillies Jerseys donated by the Gari Family, a private chess lesson from the Schwartz Family, and a private shopping experience at Tiffany & Co. Guests also bid on offerings at The Picture House Bronxville, treats from Bakeville Treats, a generous summer reading basket sponsored by the JLB Book Club, and functional integration movement lessons from Well Minded Movement.
It was a festive night – attendees were dressed in tropical island themes, and Lulada Club entertained guests with salsa vibes for the dance floor.
Attendee Tatiana Castro-Taboas mentioned how fitting it was that the band was all-female for the event, especially for the start of Women’s History Month.

The JLB is extremely proud of the continuous support it receives from the community, including local, small, and women-owned businesses. The JLB's appreciation goes to all of its sponsors and donors. Funds raised supported the JLB’s mission, including its women’s leadership development and outreach efforts, throughout its five service areas of Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers.
Examples of the JLB‘s outreach initiatives include two monthly Mobile Food Pantries in partnership with Feeding Westchester, the Joyful Closet at the Edward Williams School in Mount Vernon, which provides school uniforms and clothing items, toiletries, and other essentials to children in need in partnership with Bundles of Joy, and a monthly afterschool reading program at Eastchester Community Action Partnership (ECAP) called the Book Nook in Tuckahoe.
2024-25 JLB President, Jamie Powell Schwartz said, “Twilight in the Tropics was a spectacular success. Guests were swept away to a vibrant Caribbean escape for the evening, celebrating the impact of the Junior League of Bronxville while raising crucial funds to support our work in the community. It was a night of fun, generosity, and purpose—a true testament to the power of coming together for a great cause!”
The Junior League of Bronxville, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The JLB services the areas of Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers. The JLB has been an active and local women’s volunteer organization in Southern Westchester since 1948. For more information on the JLB, please visit www.jlbronxville.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.”