Tag:

Volunteering

'Ray Of Sunshine': Heather McNamara, NY Recipient Of Groundbreaking Surgery, Dies At 22 'Ray Of Sunshine': Heather McNamara, NY Recipient Of Groundbreaking Surgery, Dies At 22
'Ray Of Sunshine': Heather McNamara, NY Recipient Of Groundbreaking Surgery, Dies At 22 Heather McNamara, who stole hearts across the tristate area after undergoing groundbreaking cancer surgery as a child, has died at the age of 22. The Long Island resident from Islip Terrace died Saturday, June 1, due to multiple organ failure after spending months hospitalized in intensive care from a bacterial infection, her mother Tina announced. McNamara became a familiar face to many in 2011, when she appeared in a commercial for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. In the black and white spot, the then 7-year-old recounted how two hospitals turned her family away before Dr. Tomoaki Kato ag…
Grave Affair: Inaugural Cemetery Cleanup Day Seeking NY Volunteers Grave Affair: Inaugural Cemetery Cleanup Day Seeking NY Volunteers
Grave Affair: Inaugural Cemetery Cleanup Day Seeking NY Volunteers If you enjoy a quiet working environment and don’t mind rubbing elbows with a few ghosts, this could be the opportunity for you. The New York State Department of State is looking for volunteers to take part in the first annual “Caring for Your Cemetery Day,” on Saturday, April 27. Organizers said the idea is to raise awareness of the hard work and dedication that goes into caring for and preserving cemeteries, especially heading into the spring season. The department is also hoping to gin up more interest in cemeteries among younger people and recruit future volunteers or even officers and…
Winter Blues Got You Down? These Activities May Lift Your Spirits, NY Redditors Say Winter Blues Got You Down? These Activities May Lift Your Spirits, NY Redditors Say
Winter Blues Got You Down? These Activities May Lift Your Spirits, NY Redditors Say If the shorter, darker days of winter have you singing the blues, you’re not alone. Nearly 10 million Americans experience what psychologists have dubbed seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, according to Boston University. A form of depression, SAD typically rears its head during late fall or early winter and dissipates during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Symptoms may include feeling sad most of the day, losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, and having low energy. Some sufferers also report oversleeping, overeating, and having difficulty concentrating. While the best c…
Beloved Mother, Volunteer From Northern Westchester Dies At 57 Beloved Mother, Volunteer From Northern Westchester Dies At 57
Beloved Mother, Volunteer From Northern Westchester Dies At 57 A beloved wife and mother from Northern Westchester is being remembered for her willingness to donate her time to countless volunteer works and her devotion to her family.  Mount Kisco resident Beth Mannion died on Saturday, Aug. 5 at the age of 57 after a battle with ovarian cancer, according to her obituary.  Born in Mount Kisco in 1965, Mannion grew up in Bedford Hills and graduated from Fox Lane High School in 1983.  She then went on to earn an Associate's Degree from Westchester Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Western Connecticut…
Former Teacher, Westchester Native Dies At 69: Made Life 'Easygoing, Silly' For Friends, Family Former Teacher, Westchester Native Dies At 69: Made Life 'Easygoing, Silly' For Friends, Family
Former Teacher, Westchester Native Dies At 69: Made Life 'Easygoing, Silly' For Friends, Family A beloved Westchester County native who taught chemistry at a high school in Connecticut and made learning fun for his students is being remembered for his light-hearted nature.  Richard Linden, who grew up in the city of Rye and who taught in Tolland County at RHAM High School in Hebron, died on Sunday, April 16 at the age of 69, according to his obituary.  Born in 1953, Linden went on to graduate from Cornell University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.  After working as a hospital administrator for …
Former School Board President From Northern Westchester Dies Former School Board President From Northern Westchester Dies
Former School Board President From Northern Westchester Dies A Northern Westchester woman passionate about volunteering for her community died on Saturday, Oct. 22.  Gail Wittkin Sasso of Croton-on-Hudson died at the age of 75, according to her obituary. Raised on Long Island, in Roslyn Heights, Sasso was heavily involved in her village, serving as a past president of the Croton Harmon Board of Education and a member of the Croton on Hudson Water Control Commission, her obituary said.  Sasso also co-founded the local chapter of CCoHope INDIVISIBLE, a political group.  In addition to her volunteering, Sasso was al…
'I Was Willing To Die There': Northern Westchester Native Conor Kennedy Joins Fight In Ukraine 'I Was Willing To Die There': Northern Westchester Native Conor Kennedy Joins Fight In Ukraine
'I Was Willing To Die There': Northern Westchester Native Conor Kennedy Joins Fight In Ukraine Robert F. Kennedy’s grandson, New York native Conor Kennedy spent time fighting in Ukraine, the 28-year-old revealed on Instagram. In the Friday, Oct. 14 post, Kennedy, a former resident of Bedford in Northern Westchester County, revealed that he secretly fought as part of Ukraine’s International Legion, a branch of foreign volunteers from around the world helping in the country’s ongoing war against Russia. Accompanying the post is a picture of a fellow fighter, whom Kennedy identified only as Nick. “Like many people, I was deeply moved by what I saw happening in Ukraine over the past ye…
Westchester Woman Who Sang National Anthem At MLB Games, 9/11 Responder, Dies At 61 Westchester Woman Who Sang National Anthem At MLB Games, 9/11 Responder, Dies At 61
Westchester Woman Who Sang National Anthem At MLB Games, 9/11 Responder, Dies At 61 A Westchester woman who was known for her work at Ground Zero with the Red Cross and for singing the National Anthem at Major League Baseball games has died. Marie Menna-Doescher, age 61, of Eastchester, died on Tuesday, May 17, after earlier surviving a 9/11 linked cancer relating to her volunteer work for the Red Cross at Ground Zero, according to her obituary. In 1965 the family moved to Eastchester. Her schooling began uneventfully enough, but after singing a solo in a musical performance at Eastchester High School, she blossomed as a natural singing talent, pursuing her singing career …
Former Westchester Resident Who Worked As Counselor For Adults, Teens Dies Suddenly At Age 41 Former Westchester Resident Who Worked As Counselor For Adults, Teens Dies Suddenly At Age 41
Former Westchester Resident Who Worked As Counselor For Adults, Teens Dies Suddenly At Age 41 A former Westchester County resident who worked as a counselor for more than a decade has died suddenly at age 41. Erik Volper died on Thursday, April 21, after he collapsed while running on the treadmill from an unknown heart issue, according to his obituary. Volper was a former resident of Larchmont. "Erik worked as a counselor for teens and adults for the last 12 years, helping them manage a myriad of challenges, always from a stance of compassion and non-judgemen," his obituary reads. "In his free time, he volunteered with different organizations that mentor at-risk youth in Austin, Te…
Hope Levene, 98, Of Bedford Was World Traveler, Volunteer Extraordinaire Hope Levene, 98, Of Bedford Was World Traveler, Volunteer Extraordinaire
Hope Levene, 98, Of Bedford Was World Traveler, Volunteer Extraordinaire Hope W. Levene, a longtime Bedford resident, died on March 17 at the age of 98.  Hope's was a life of volunteer work for organizations including Visiting Nurses, Pleasantville Cottage Schools, Northern Westchester Hospital, Bedford School Board, Boces, American Field Service, Experiment in International Living and the Hillcrest School.  She was predeceased by husband, Benjamin (Bill) and daughter Hope, and is survived by son, Kenneth of Armonk, and daughter, Faith Levene of Kitchener, Ontario,  grandchildren Wendy, Ken, Elise, Max and Arielle, and great-grandchildren Ryan, Ri…
COVID-19: Northern Westchester HS Sophomore Raises Funds For Restaurants, Hospitals COVID-19: Northern Westchester HS Sophomore Raises Funds For Restaurants, Hospitals
Covid-19: Northern Westchester HS Sophomore Raises Funds For Restaurants, Hospitals The good in young and old has bubbled to the top of society and showed itself in many ways during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. From providing food to those in need to donating masks, playing music for the masses, and dressing up in blue shark costumes to bring a smile. One of those helping is Northern Westchester resident Eli Yates, a sophomore high school student, who is busy taking pictures of area families in order to raise money to donate to Food for the Frontline Westchester and the Frontstep Project which both help support area restaurants and provide meals to hospital w…
Horace Greeley High School National Merit Semifinalist Samuel J. 'Sabrina' Kaplan Dies At 17 Horace Greeley High School National Merit Semifinalist Samuel J. 'Sabrina' Kaplan Dies At 17
Horace Greeley High School National Merit Semifinalist Samuel J. 'Sabrina' Kaplan Dies At 17 Samuel J. "Sabrina" Kaplan of Chappaqua, an accomplished student at Horace Greeley High School, died of metabolic causes on Friday, Sept. 17 in Syosset at the age of 17.  Later in life, Sam's chosen name was Sabrina. The name Sabrina and appropriate pronouns will be used out of respect for her journey and her wishes. Sam is survived by mother, Nicole Turano of Chappaqua; grandparents Margot and Vincent Turano of Carmel; father David Kaplan, stepmother, Alice and younger half-siblings, Natalie, Arthur and Benjamin of Syosset. Sabrina's was born on Jan. 19, 2001 in New York City. S…
Attorney Ari Diaconis Of Armonk Dies At 33, Talented Musician Attorney Ari Diaconis Of Armonk Dies At 33, Talented Musician
Attorney Ari Diaconis Of Armonk Dies At 33, Talented Musician Attorney Ari J. Diaconis of Armonk died on Monday, Jan. 29. He was 33. He was born Oct.15, 1984 and graduated from University of Vermont, where he studied economics, philosophy and Afro-Cuban percussion. During and after college, Ari played with musical groups, such as Rubblebucket, and performed at renowned venues including Blue Note Jazz Club New York. With increasing interest in law, Ari began teaching the Law School Admission Test. This allowed him to live in diverse cities, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Baltimore and Missoula. Ari went on to graduate magna cum laude and Order of the…