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TARRYTOWN, N.Y. A small crowd gathered in an upstairs room of the Tappan Hill Mansion on Tuesday night while staff prepared for a United Way tradition downstairs: the annual top chefs wine and food tasting event.
Before the people wined and dined, however, they gathered to honor the winners of this year's Spirit of Westchester and Putnam awards. The awards are given to individuals and groups that make significant contributions of time and money to the United Way.
Working with United Way, their dedication and their enthusiasm for our mission work, helping those achieve quality education, financial stability and good health, really is at the core of all that we do, said Naomi Adler, president and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
The Steering Committee of the United Way Tocqueville Society of Westchester and Putnam was honored for their work with United Way. The Tocqueville Society has continuously raised funds for United Way programming such as the 2-1-1 information phone line.
The IBM Corporation was given a spirit Award for its contributions and fundraising for the community.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 union was honored for its work with fundraising and donating goods to United Way campaigns.
United Way gave a spirit award to the Westchester Community Foundation for its work in developing and presenting the not-for-profit leadership summit for the past decade.
Janet Walker received the volunteer award for her work with the organization.
United Way members had a quick laugh when representatives from the Tocqueville Society tried to walk off with their plaque. Adler had to inform them that the award would not be going home with them.
Actually, it's going in our office, she said.
The awards ceremony also recognized recipients of Ruth Taylor Scholarships from United Way, which the organization gives to graduate students studying public health or social work.
This year's scholarships were given to: Jheanell Cawley from Yonkers, Monique Graham from Mount Vernon, Jennifer Kaplan from Larchmont, Monica Pena from Peekskill and Anan Smith from Mount Vernon.
The top chefs wine and food event featured local restaurants, such as Grape Expectations and Ruth's Chris Steak House.
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