DECEMBER 2010

Independent Westchester Realtors Find
Homes in Their Hearts for Needy Families

The members of the Guild of Independent Real Estate Professionals based in Pelham , in cooperation with the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, will “adopt” forty needy Westchester families and provide them with the basic needs for a happy Christmas and warm winter. “The “basics ” are warm clothing, toys and holiday meals including holiday desserts and sweets prepared by local restaurants and bakeries.

Michelle Mambrino, the executive director of the Guild of Independent Real Estate Professionals, and Susan Lapham wanted to make the Guild’s Annual Benefit Project a special endeavor this year, particularly when so many local families are facing uncertain economic times and real hardship “As we researched this project,” Mambrino said, “we were amazed at the amount of families and children right here in Westchester County who are so in need of food, clothing and shelter. Most of the families are single mothers with children.”

When Mambrino discovered that the Catholic Charities’ program in Manhattan, called the St. Nicholas Project, helps more than 2,500 families and the Catholic Charities Westchester County Giving Tree helped hundreds, she knew that cooperation between the Guild and Catholic Charities was a good fit.

Members of the Guild of Independent Real Estate Professionals have gone well beyond the extra mile in planning their Christmas project this year. Currently, specially designed “giving-trees” are on display in the offices of every Guild member. And locally in Pelham, Peltown Taxi Company, 5 Fifth Avenue, Link Insurance Agency, 111 Fifth Avenue and Gracious Living, 136A Fifth Avenue, are displaying the silk trees, all handmade by Brian Serrano of New Rochelle.

Hanging on each tree is a hand crafted card displaying the photos of two families who need the generosity and holiday spirit of others to enjoy the Christmas season and keep warm through the long Westchester winter.

Guild clients, members and friends can “adopt” a holiday meal or warm clothes for the family and even toys for the family’s children. Supporters can also “adopt” an entire family and give them a Christmas to remember—literally from soup to nuts, sweaters to mittens. The wrap up for tree donations is December 10. Holiday meals and desserts will be donated by Conti’s Pastry Shop, Elite Sweets of Bronxville ,
La Fontanella Restaurant in Pelham and Siena Ristorante. in New Rochelle.

The needy families are clients of Catholic Charities, which has offices and social service programs located in the ten counties of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. These offices provide help and create hope for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Catholic Charities will also help deliver the Christmas bounty to “adopted” families—in time for Christmas Eve.

Mary Ellen Ros, director of Catholic Charities Hudson Valley Services, and Karen Reynolds, Catholic Charities regional supervisor for Westchester County, were anxious to help the Guild coordinate its holiday project. They identified 40 families in need and continue to provide experienced advice and support throughout the Guild’s project.

Catholic Charities, a federation of approximately 90 agencies and programs located throughout the 10 counties of the Archdiocese of New York, helps solve the problems of New Yorkers in need – non-Catholics and Catholics alike, with services that protect and nurture children; resolve family crises; assist the hungry and homeless; support the physically and emotionally challenged; and integrate immigrants and refugees.

“Every year The Guild does a charity event . I love this important project,” concludes Mambrino. “ There has been a lot of support from the community and now we can assist those in need. It will help the people in our own back yards.”

For more information visit the reguild.com or 914-738-1414.

 

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