Northern Westchester Hospital Celebrates Young Philanthropists
On January 14, 2009, the Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) Auxiliary hosted a pizza party for 33 local children who took part in the 2008 Special Occasion Club. As members of the Club, the children request donations to the Hospital in lieu of gifts for birthdays, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, confirmations and other celebrations. Over the past year, the children received 138 individual contributions totaling $7,035.25. The money will go toward the construction of a pediatric suite in the planned new Emergency Department at Northern Westchester Hospital.
"It is important that we teach our children to be thoughtful, thankful, and generous, and instill in them the joy and responsibility of volunteerism and contributing to our community," said Bedford Hills resident Christina Dochtermann, a board member of the NWH Auxiliary and Special Occasion Club Chair, whose two sons, Gryphon and Jaeger, have participated in the Club since its inception. "One way we can help our children experience the rewards of giving is through participation in the Northern Westchester Hospital Special Occasion Club."
In addition to dining on pizza and ice cream provided by the Hospital's catering service, attendees of this year's celebration participated in a hand-washing demonstration and toured NWH's Pediatrics department and Nursery, where they got to see some of the newborns.
"This is my fourth year asking my birthday guests to donate to the Hospital," said 10-year-old Lindsay West of Bedford. "I can't imagine asking for a more important birthday gift. Plus, I like coming to the party and touring the Hospital, especially seeing the new babies."
The Special Occasion Club began in 2002 with only a handful of children and was known as The Birthday Club. The name was changed last year to broaden the scope of the program. Over the years, the Club has grown tremendously-it now includes about 40 children from Bedford, Bedford Hills, Chappaqua, Goldens Bridge, Katonah, Mount Kisco, Pound Ridge, and South Salem.
To participate in the Northern Westchester Hospital Special Occasion Club or for more information, contact Annette Serrano at the NWH Foundation at 914.242.8352 or aserrano@nwhc.net
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