I want to do some volunteer service. What’s available in this area?
There are many. To volunteer for openings on town boards, committees, or councils call the supervisor’s office at 763-3151 or e-mail supervisor@lewisborogov.com. Openings are listed on the town Web site www.lewisborogov.com.
The Lewisboro Senior Adult Outreach Service provides volunteers to help the homebound with chores like housekeeping, mowing the lawn, handyman work, and even making phone calls to remind people to take their medication. Call 232-6167 for information.
Meals on Wheels, which serves Lewisboro, is based in Somers and provides hot meals once a day to the homebound. Call 232-0807 for more information.
Libraries need volunteers for special projects, shelf help, and mailings. South Salem Library especially needs people to help plan its annual fair in September. Call 763-3857. To help out at the Katonah Village Library, call 232-3508.
The recreation department welcomes volunteers for youth sports programs and special events like the Spring Egg Hunt. Volunteer counselors-in-training are needed for summer camps. Call Lewisboro Parks and Recreation at 232-6162.
Safe Rides needs student drivers. E-mail Dr. Linda Burke at lburke@klschools.org.
The Lewisboro Emergency Planning Task Force is recruiting volunteers who will be trained as certified first responders in case of a townwide emergency. The town is seeking people who are not already firefighters or ambulance corps volunteers. Call Kathy Cory at 763-3511.
The Wolf Conservation Center in Lewisboro welcomes volunteers who can donate time, money or services. Opportunities include acting as guides for tour groups, and performing maintenance and grounds work. For information, visit www.nywolf.org.
The Northern Westchester Hospital Center in Mount Kisco uses more than 500 volunteers of all ages for such things as visiting patients, transportation, making beds, clerical work, the gift shop, the visitors desk, the health science library, and even taking photographs of newborns. Call volunteer services at 666-1814.
Both the Community Center in Katonah, and Food-PATCH in Millwood offer programs to help those in need. At the Community Center, volunteer opportunities exist in program development, career counseling, and communications. Call 232-6572. Food-Patch serves food pantries throughout Westchester. There are many ways to help, from packing food to running a food drive. To volunteer call 923-1100 or visit www.foodpatch.org.
For those who love animals there’s the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Briarcliff Manor. The shelter needs many volunteers including groomers, people to help with special events, and people for its Golden Outreach Program where volunteers and canines visit people at area health care facilities. Call 941-2894 for more information.
Family Services of Westchester offers the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentoring Program in which adult volunteers act as role models to children 7 to 15, from single-parent homes. Call 666-8075 or visit fsw.org.
The United Way of Westchester and Putnam needs volunteers to work on its various committees and task forces. Call 997-6700, ext. 716. The Volunteer Center of United Way connects those who want to share their time, energy, and talent with community organizations that can use their help. Call 948-4452.
Local fire departments, ambulance corps and area churches always need volunteers, too. Check the phone book for numbers to call or see other sections of this Answer Book.
How can I get involved in local politics?
Call Lewisboro Republican Town Committee Chairman Wayne Coluccini, 763-8639 (www.lewisborogop.org); Democratic Town Committee Co-chairmen Alan Cole (232-4347) or Christina Rae (763-5773/ chair@lewisborodemocrats.org), Lewisboro Conservative Town Committee Chairman Les Simon at 763-8831 or ssimonesq@aol.com, or Susan Henry at 763-5767 for the Lewisboro Leadership Party, a local political independent party.
Are there any political clubs?
The Lewisboro Democratic Club provides up-to-date information on local political activities, candidates and events. Among its many activities are issues forums, coffees, and fundraisers for Democratic candidates. For information, call Ellen Brief at 232-4942 or visit www.westchester-democrats.org.
Is there a group for newcomers to town?
The Pound Ridge Newcomers and Neighbors Club is open to Lewisboro residents. There is a mother-toddler group, book group, bridge group, evening gourmet and social activities, and several luncheons. For information, call Nikki McMann at 763-5073 or visit the Web site at www.prnnc.org
Is there a local woman’s club?
The Women’s Civic Club of Katonah meets regularly at the Memorial House. For information, call Emanuela Briccetti at 666-4351.
Presbyterian Women, open to all women in the community, gathers for fellowship, but also is involved in mission projects. Regular luncheon meetings include guest speakers. Childcare is provided. For information, call 232-4568.
The Women’s Group at the Jewish Family Congregation in South Salem plans programs and activities for members and non-members, including an annual women’s seder, a book club and Walk in the Woods Club. The group also supports My Sister’s Place. Call 763-3028.
Ahavah Hadassah, the women’s Zionist organization, is a group with social and cultural activities. Open to all, many events are fund-raisers for Israel, Hadassah Hospital in Israel, and projects in the United States. The group meets once a month and there is usually a speaker. For information, call Ruth Mendes at 764-5378 or Susie Greene at 533-2688.
The International Club is a social club for women who have lived in another country for at least a year or are foreign born. Members share in social and cultural activities. For information, call Eleanor Kilsby at 203-431-6337 or visit www.riclub.org.
What does the League of Women Voters do?
The League of Women Voters of Bedford-Lewisboro-North Salem works to increase voter participation through registration drives and voter education. Members study local, regional, state, and national issues, take positions, and publish findings. For membership information, call Harry McLaughlin at 232-5735.
There is also a League of Women Voters of Westchester. For information, go online to www.watpa.org/lwv/
or call 949-0507.
Is there a Junior League?
The Junior League of Northern Westchester is a non-profit volunteer organization of women committed to bringing about positive change and growth in the community. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. For information about the organization or to become a member, call 666-4966 or e-mail jlnw344@aol.com or visit www.jlnw.org.
What does the Rotary Club do?
Katonah Rotary meets weekly and promotes community service and civic spirit. The organization sponsors local Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts, awards scholarships to high school graduates, and many civic groups. The Katonah Rotary has five fund-raising projects each year: Sale of Christmas trees, a pancake breakfast on Palm Sunday, a fall spaghetti dinner, an annual raffle, and a direct mail invitation to financial partnership. Internationally, Rotary raises money to fight polio, and more recently, to improve childhood nutrition and raise concern for children worldwide. For information, call Stanley Siegel at 232-2527.
What does the Lions Club do?
The Lions Club is a service organization that, besides doing local projects, raises money to assist the blind. The Lions support the Guiding Eyes for the Blind, which trains and supplies guide dogs. They collect used eyeglasses and medical equipment to lend to residents in need. The clubs also get involved in several community projects. For Lewisboro Lions, call Kathy Cory at 763-3511.
Is there a citizens action group?
The Cross River Hamlet Association believes there should be a moratorium on non-residential development in Cross River for at least two years. The group is represented by the Brewster law firm of Stephens & Charbonneau.
What garden or environmental clubs are here?
The Lewisboro Land Trust, a chapter of the Westchester Land Trust, preserves open space through land purchases, lectures and other programs. Call Susan Henry at 763-5767. For information on the Westchester Land Trust, call 241-6346 or visit online at www.westchesterlandtrust.org. (There is a link to the Lewisboro Land Trust on the Westchester Land Trust Web site. Click on chapters.)
The Lewisboro Garden Club is actively recruiting new members. The club’s objective is to promote the art of gardening, to cooperate in beautifying public grounds, and to aid in conserving the natural flora. The club offers free plots to townspeople in the community gardens at Onatru Farm. For club information, call Isabel Richards at 763-0214. For information on the community gardens, call Bonnie Shaver at 763-6679 or Goldie Robitaille at 533-2148.
Caramoor Garden Guild is a group of volunteers who restore and maintain the Caramoor gardens. They also mount a plant sale, antiques show and other fund-raising events each year. For information, call 232-1253.
The Bedford Audubon Society is in Katonah. Call John Askildsen at 232-1999 or visit online at www.bedfordaudubon.org.
What veterans organizations are there in town?
The George B. Winter Jr. American Legion Post #13417 meets at the Goldens Bridge Community House. For information, call post commander Les Simon at 232-5892. The American Legion Katonah Post #1575 is on Route 22. Call 232-1575.
Is there a men’s group?
The Men’s Group at the Jewish Family Congregation undertakes mitzvah projects and holds seasonal father-child activities. Call 763-3028.
Are there any groups for parents?
The New Mothers Group meets twice a month at Katonah Village Library during the school year. New mothers with infants up to 12 months old and expectant mothers are welcome. Call 232-3508 for information.
The Parenting Center at the Jewish Family Congregation in South Salem offers classes for parents and children (from babies to preschoolers) and for parents only. For information, call 763-3028.
Northern Westchester Hospital Center offers a New Moms Support Group where women can meet other new mothers and share information about newborn care. For details, call 666-1370.