Sentinel
SPRING/SUMMER 2020
Edition
From the Director's Desk
Wash Your Hands!
Once considered a chore before mealtime, we now know washing hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent spreading germs and staying healthy.
.
As the coronavirus spread throughout the county, and country, health care officials encouraged us to continue the simple acts of wearing a mask, practice social distancing and washing hands right up to the wrists for 20 seconds.

Washing your hands can save lives.
And, as always, remember to remind the younger members of the family, "Did you use soap AND water?"
SPRYE Board
of Directors

President
Michele Thomas

Chair,
Executive Committee
Barbara Brunner

Vice President
Dale Mintz

Secretary/ Treasurer
Joan Feinstein

Lisa Aaronberg
Geraldine Bowling
Kathy Carley-Spanier
Ron Cohen
Hilary Garland
Svend Hansen
Maria Hargraves
Julie Hartman
Lauren Miscimarra
Owen Nee, Jr.
Dan O'Day
Peter Rolland
Wendy Weinreb
Tilly Young

Advisory Council
Nancy Haneman
Paul Hicks
Lee Katz
Katherine Moore
Isobel Perry
Tom Saunders
Chair,
Arthur Stampleman
Gil Weinstein
 
Executive Director
Marie Johnson

Administrative Assistant
Margie McCabe

One Gateway Plaza 
55 S. Main St.
Third Floor
Port Chester, NY
10573
  
Mailing Address:  
P.O. Box 748
Rye, N.Y. 10580
914-481-5706

SPRYE has many opportunities to volunteer.

If you are interested in driving members to medical appointments or other trips, reading to older adults or making friendly visits, please call the office to discuss opportunities.
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We hope you like the new format.
This version now allows readers to download the newsletter on their Smart phones.
Signs of the Times
The last ten weeks have been challenging for individuals, families, and businesses across the globe and in our community due to the spread of COVID-19.

Normally, the Spring newsletter would feature pictures of members and volunteers participating in assorted activities and programs and socializing with each other.

Despite the shutdowns and closings that occurred starting in March, SPRYE remained open continuing to offer members grocery and medicine deliveries, emergency transportation and friendly visits.

We continue to wish everyone a safe, and healthy Spring and we will get through this and be together soon.
Grocery Delivery to Port Chester Resident
Lorraine Lunapienna, a Port Chester resident, receives her
groceries from volunteers Christine Salomon, and her two
daughters Morgan and Lauren. Practicing social distancing,
the family helped deliver groceries to several members.
Salvation Army Mobilizes to
Help the Community
Volunteers Bruce and Connie Macleod, middle, help Roberto Calderon, left, and Corps Officer/Pastor Margaret Quatela of the Salvation Army distribute food within the Port Chester/Rye Brook area. According to Margaret, the organization has distributed 120,000 pounds of food to over 10,150 individuals withinin the Port Chester/Rye Brook area since mid-March.
Executive Director Hands Out Masks
Executive Director Marie Johnson hands face masks to Vienna Senior Housing office coordinator Viola Esposito to pass out to residents. An additional 100 masks were passed out to the residents of Rye Manor. The donation was from the City of Rye’s allotment of Westchester County masks donated by Hanes.
Cunningham Family Supports Port
Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS





The Cunningham family, left to right, Cara, Ali,
Mia, Shane, Kiernan and the family dog Jerry
delivered a delicious dinner to the Port Chester-
Rye-Rye Brook EMS Volunteer Ambulance Corp
facility in Port Chester.

On the left is Scott Moore, Administrator and
Alex Donato.
Rye Mask Project Creates 12,500 Masks
Rye resident and former SPRYE president Nancy Haneman, above, was alerted that there was a need in the community for face masks and became one of 200 volunteers to spring into action to help the Rye Mask Project.

The need for more masks became urgent for front line and essential staff workers. The Project encompassed many different groups, who contributed time, fabric and sewing skills, according to Cliona Cronin of Rye and one of the founders along with Kim Mulcahy.

"We made 12,500 masks, about half went to hospitals and the remaining to food pantries and the underserved. We raised $15,000 for Feeding Westchester from our mask sale," reported Cliona.

Nancy was a terrific addition to our group, Cliona continued, and helped organize the donation of fabulous fabric to us. She used this time in service to others and for that we are truly grateful.

Thank you to all the neighbors, friends and supporters in the community who contributed their time helping to make masks. You made a difference!
Congratulations to the Rye High School Class of 2020!
The graduating class of 2020 had many supporters to cheer them on and wish them good luck in all future endeavors.
From left, Chair, Executive Committee Barbara Brunner holds a sign for her granddaughter Ashleigh; President Michele Thomas and Executive Director Marie Johnson join the celebration.
Friendly Visit and a Dance Number
Rye High School student Hannah Adler recently visited member Joan McGrath Greve and performed her latest routine for the former dance school owner.

Joan taught many talented dancers during her career and even launched a few dancers to popular shows. After viewing Hannah's performance, Joan declared, "She is remarkable. She's got it all!"
Inspiring Signs Around the Community
Driving around the community this Spring one cannot help notice the colorful and inspirational signs that send encouragement to front line workers and essential employees.

The sign on the right was found on Milton Road and below, a salute to Port Chester's finest outside the Police Headquarters on North Main Street.
This photo, supporting health care
workers was spotted near Glenville.
SPRYE Programs Return!
Current Events Goes Live At Home
Rye Brook resident Arthur Stampleman leads the Current Event program on Zoom with 10 members joining the most recent hour-long session.

The next Current Events Zoom program will be Friday, June 12th at 10:30 a.m. Grab a hot cup of your favorite beverage and listen to national and international news from others.
Gentle Chair Yoga

The Gentle Chair Yoga program usually held at the Port Chester/Rye Brook library twice a week was suspended. However, yoga fans can go to the site below to view SPRYE member Joan Gibbons, pictured at right, leading the group.

Rye Merchants Become Valued Members
The SPRYE Marketing Committee, with the support of the Rye Chamber of Commerce, reached out to store owners and encouraged them to affix the Valued Merchant sign to their windows.

The square sign alerts older shoppers that merchant personnel are attuned to their needs, such as helping with carryout and locating certain products.

Above, Webster Bank was the first company to say yes to the sticker!
Cai Palmer affixes the Valued Merchant sign on the window of Wine at Five in Rye on Purchase Street.
Below, Lisa McKiernan of Ruby's Oyster Bar in Rye shows off the Valued Merchant sign on the restaurant window.
Welcome New Members!
Carol Hoffman

And welcome aboard
new volunteers:
Christine Salomon
Sally Adler

July Calendar

Wednesday, July 15th PENDING /TBD
T he always popular two hour "Cruise to Nowhere" leaves the Arch Street dock in Greenwich at 5:00 p.m. $20 in advance and reservations are required.
RSVP the office at 914-481-5706 or email director@sprye.org
Great News!
SPRYE accepts donations year round
and they are tax deductible

SPRYE is a charitable corporation organized under New York State Law. Its tax exempt status as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service, which has also determined that donations to SPRYE are deductible under applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

You can donate directly to SPRYE by going to our website
Sprye.org

OR
Call or email at:
914-481-5706 or email director@sprye.org
We love mail!
Send to
Director,
P.O. Box 748
Rye, NY 10580