Community Update: Holiday Celebration and In the Community

Dear Friends,

It has been longer than usual since the last time I wrote to you, due to the Senate mandated blackout period leading up to an election. There is much to update you on, so I hope you keep reading.

I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude that I have been re-elected to represent the 37th State Senate District. As your State Senator, I am committed to serving all those in my district, and in the state, regardless of views or opinions. I will continue to put the needs of all constituents first, to hear them and do my best to serve them, and will remain true to the small-d democratic values that I hold so dear – civility, thoughtful informed decision-making, and mutual respect.

While the new President-elect lays out his plans for his administration, I am paying particular attention to issues that may impact our community, including our immigrant communities, our schools, colleges and universities, health care institutions and public health. Working with my colleagues, I will be focused on ensuring New York State continues to be an inclusive, diverse state that meets the challenges of its residents, including affordability, flooding and climate resiliency and access to quality education.

Lastly, I hope you can join me on Friday, December 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the White Plains Recreation and Parks Community Center for a Holiday Celebration. More details are below.

If there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,

Shelley B. Mayer

State Senator

37th District

Annual Holiday Celebration

Please join me on Friday, December 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the White Plains Recreation and Parks Community Center, located at 65 Mitchell Place, White Plains. Please RSVP here or by emailing hkirk@nysenate.gov and if you are able, we encourage you to bring disposable diapers to support our neighbors in need.

In the Community

Veterans Day and Veterans Breakfast

On Veterans Day, we recognize the immense sacrifice of the men and women who answered the call to defend and protect our nation. This year, I was honored to join Veterans Day services in the Town of Harrison and the Osborn Community. I also had the privilege of hosting a Veterans Breakfast to say thank you to many Veterans in our community. Thank you to Viviana DeCohen, Commissioner of New York State Department of Veterans’ Services for joining us as the keynote speaker and to Sergeant Josh Gaccione and Col., Ret. (NY Guard), ENGN (U.S. Navy), Chet Edwards, Co-Chairs of my Veterans Advisory Council, for their work on the council and organizing this breakfast. If you or someone you know is interested in joining my Veterans Advisory Council, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov

Visit to Westchester Children’s Museum

I had such a fun visit to Westchester Children’s Museum! It was great to see the various activities they offer and the resources they provide to ensure our neighbors have easier access to this great space. While I was there, I was fortunate to see over 100 children from Hastings on Hudson schools who were visiting for a field trip. Thank you to the Executive Director Thomas Sullivan and Vice President of the Board of Trustees Katherine Vernace for the invitation and tour. The following weekend, I took some of my grandchildren for a visit - they loved it!

Purchase College ADA Compliant Bus Stop

I was pleased to join SUNY Purchase College President Dr. Milagros Peña, student leaders, and staff from the Office of Disability Resources for the opening of Purchase’s new ADA-compliant bus stop, for which I secured state funding. The new bus stop will be a great help in ensuring the campus is fully accessible to students, staff and visitors.

Matthew Wallace Foundation Annual Trunk or Treat

Another nice Halloween tradition with the Matthew Wallace Foundation Trunk or Treat! It was a real treat to see my friends Jeni and Lynwood Wallace and to check out all the amazing costumes. It was great to be joined by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins; my Constituent Services team, Christine and Luis; and members of my and the Leader’s Youth Advisory Councils!

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with my friend and colleague Senator Nathalia Fernandez at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and presented the Club with a “check” for critical funding they need for repairs. Thank you to my Youth Advisory Council for showing up and helping out and to Becky Mazzanobile for her leadership in our community!

Meals on Main Street to Fight Hunger

I was happy to join my friends at Meals on Main Street in Port Chester as they kicked off their race and walk to raise funds to address hunger in our community. It was terrific to see everyone who came out in support, and I thank Meals on Main Street for their continued dedication to our community.

Visit to Feeding Westchester

I was fortunate to tour the new space at Feeding Westchester in Elmsford and meet many of the people who do the day-to-day work — including many who have worked for Feeding Westchester for six, 16 and 30 years! I also had the pleasure of dropping off the donations collected during our food drive. Our generous neighbors donated 377 pounds of food, which equals 314 meals for our neighbors in need. Thank you to all who donated, to President and CEO Karen Erren and her team at Feeding Westchester for your commitment to our community.

Honoring a Local Hero

It was a pleasure to meet Luca Soares and his mother Raquel. Luca is a brave, quick thinking eighth grader from Scarsdale who rescued a young child from a wave pool this summer. Luca is very modest, but his vigilance and willingness to help a stranger in need will serve him and our community well throughout his life.

Celebrating Diwali

I was honored to join a beautiful Diwali and New Years Day celebration at BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Temple in Yonkers. Earlier this year, I spoke out against acts of vandalism at an affiliated Temple in Long Island, and I will continue to condemn acts of religious hatred. They have no place here.

Pamplemousse Project Grant Recipient Announcement

I was very pleased that P.J. DeGenaro, my Communications Associate, could join The Pamplemousse Project to celebrate its latest round of grant recipients: 914Cares, Yes She Can and the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester. The Pamplemousse Project is an independent cafe in White Plains whose owners donate 100 percent of their earnings to local nonprofits that support the community in areas such as hunger, housing, education, the arts and more. All this, plus excellent coffee and baked goods. We are incredibly fortunate to have such good neighbors in our district.

In the News