By Susan Johnson
May 14, 2025: The Bronxville, Scarsdale and Hudson Valley Rotary Clubs will partner on an EPIC Day of Service Saturday, May 17th (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.), rain date Sunday, May 18th at the same time, cleaning up and beautifying a section of the Bronx River Conservancy Reservation, located near the Tuckahoe duck pond at the cross section of Garrett Avenue and the end of Tuckahoe Road. The environmental service event is one component of a national grassroots initiative demonstrating how a collective effort by Rotary volunteers addresses critical needs in their communities; it is part of Rotary’s global movement dedicated to making a positive impact through hands-on service projects.
Volunteers will remove invasive vines and scrub brush that have developed a stranglehold on trees over the years and will ultimately kill them – and have some fun while doing it. Robert DelTorto, President of the Bronx River Parkway Reservation Conservancy, will train and supervise the volunteers also planting native trees and shrubs along the banks of the river to help restore its ecology, to preserve and protect a beautiful section of the local landscape. The Bronx River travels through Westchester and the Bronx to Long Island Sound and is currently the subject of major regional water-quality and environmental initiatives.
“This is a day when people can witness the true spirit of Rotary in action, to showcase the power of volunteerism” said Ruth Walter, who, along with Dr. Eduardo Saponara, are co-chairs of the project. “We’re proud that this is the Bronxville Rotary’s third annual event focused on the care and feeding of our beautiful park.”
The Bronx River Parkway was the first public parkway designed for automobiles, extending about 13 miles in Westchester County and about another two miles in NYC. Westchester County owns and maintains the road, pathway and extraordinary parkland created over 100 years ago. Robert DelTorto said “At the turn of the of the 20th century the polluted Bronx River was an open sewer, its water sickening animals at the Bronx Zoo. Tenements, outhouses, pig farms, factories and mills along the river all contributed to the pollution.”.
This year the BRPRC celebrates its centennial as an advocate for the protection and preservation of the unique character of the park listed in the National Register of Historic Places and will be fundraising for the design and installation of signs at the Southern and Northern entrances to the Parkway, denoting its historical significance.
The Rotary EPIC Day of Service has grown into an international movement, currently spanning seven countries – the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, England, The Netherlands and Bermuda. In 2023, this initiative brought together over 36,000 Rotarians and community members who completed 1,264 projects across 21 Rotary districts and 1,200+ clubs. This year’s projects in 10 U.S. states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Colorado, Wyoming, and Michigan) addresses issues such as environmental sustainability, food insecurity, education and community revitalization.
The Bronxville Rotary Club is part of Rotary International’s network of 1.4 million problem-solvers in 46,000 clubs, the world’s largest non-profit and humanitarian service organization that provides service to others, builds international relationships, and promotes peace, to create a better world.
Learn more about local Rotary Clubs: Bronxville Rotary (https://bronxvillerotary.com/) Scarsdale Rotary (https://scarsdalerotary.org/) and Hudson Valley (https://www.rotaryhudsonvalley.org/).
Follow Bronxville Rotary on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bronxvillerotary) and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bronxville_rotary/.
The public can commemorate the Bronx River Parkway Reservation’s centennial honoring its preservation of scenic water bodies, preservation of several historic bridges, conducting a tree inventory and completing the pathway between Bronxville and Mt. Vernon by making a contribution here: (https://www.epicdayofservice.org/clubs/united-states-7230-bronxville/campaigns/5714).
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.”