Masthead

AUGUST 2013

In This Issue:
Meet Our Honoree
Backpack Project
Summer @ ANDRUS


Join Our Mailing List 

 

 

 

Follow us on Twitter   Like us on Facebook   

JOIN US!
 Light Up the Night!



ANDRUS will be holding our annual Fall gala on Friday, October 4 at the Ritz Carlton in White Plains. Join us as we honor James J. Landy and St. Faith's House Foundation. All proceeds benefit the children at ANDRUS. For more information contact Judy Wood at (914)965-3700 x 1318 or click here.


 

    
Light Up the Night with Jim Landy:
An ANDRUS Fall Gala Honoree
We are excited to honor Jim Landy of Hudson Valley Bank on October 4 at our Light Up the Night event! Along with being a successful businessman and resident of Westchester County, here are some things you may not know:

How did you find your way to a career in banking?

I was involved in the redevelopment of the Lake Avenue, Yonkers community and a critical component was getting a bank to open

in the area. After approaching several without success, we got Hudson Valley to agree. During the negotiations with HVB, they offered me a position to help them open, and the rest is history.  

 

What has been the greatest accomplishment of your career?

Watching Hudson Valley's growth from a local start up to today's

$2.9 Billion regional organization while helping maintain its local focus and commitment.  

 

What is your fondest memory of growing up in Yonkers?

The sense of community. Despite being so large and diverse, Yonkers is made up of numerous communities that offer unique features. Being out in the public I meet so many people who grew up in Yonkers as well. It is fun to reminisce about all the things we did as kids.

 

What does Jim Landy do on the weekends?

We gather the family together for a big dinner on most weekends. It has always been the centerpiece of our weekends-- family time.

 

If you can escape on vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I've enjoyed a number of great trips to some special places. Some in Europe, but mostly in the U.S. My current goal is to visit Alaska given it's unique views and wonders. Maybe soon!

 

Favorite spot in Westchester County:

That's easy, Yonkers. I am very comfortable in my home town and find it offers everything from great restaurants, entertainment, spectacular views, shopping and services. It is a great community.

 

What advice would you give to our students about their future, importance of education and reaching goals?

Take advantage of your education. Learn the basics now as they will serve you well in understanding this complicated world. Things you think you will never use could actually be useful in the future. Life will take you on a road that has many bumps and turns, so it is important to learn the landscape as much as possible. Embracing education and having goals will keep you grounded and will prepare you for what the future may hold. William Shakespeare once said "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves".

Over 700 Backpacks Collected for ANDRUS Children... and still counting!

Each year, ANDRUS collects brand new, fully stocked backpacks for the children we serve. Our collection is underway and we have collected over 700 so far! This year, our goal is 1,000 backpacks to help children on our campus, in our mental health clinics and community programs head back to school with everything they need to succeed. Many thanks to our donors including The Children's Hope Chest, Marine Corps League, GAP, Kiwanis clubs, Pier 1 Imports, ACORDA Therapeutics, Eileen Fischer, All Star Marketing, Eastchester Rotary, CA Technologies and individual friends and families. We will be collecting until school starts! To learn more, organize a drive or donate contact Genna Federico at (914)965-3700 or [email protected].

 

Summer Memories

During the summer months, our children are engaged in new and exciting activities that provide opportunities to learn and grow. Here are a few highlights from the past month:

 

A Camping Trip Tale

This month, six of our residential girls from Bourne Hall went on an overnight camping trip- a first for many of the young ladies we serve. Staff accompanied the girls to an upstate camping ground where they pitched a tent and settled in for brand new experiences. The group swam in the lake, went paddle boating, hiked up a mountain, experienced a waterfall and of course, enjoyed s'mores! New experiences like these help our girls learn more about themselves and develop into happy, strong, confident young women.    

 

A Visit to an Andrus Relative

 

ANDRUS residents had a unique opportunity to visit the upstate farm of an ANDRUS family descendant. The afternoon began with a picnic lunch by the lake, followed by fishing (a first for many of the children) and games of catch, hacky sack and frisbee. The children flew kites and enjoyed the tranquility of their surroundings.  


East Coast Rodeo

Several of our children ventured to Berkshire Farms Center to attend the 37th Annual East Coast Rodeo, a three day event of motorbike competition and fun. The Rodeo gathered various NYPUM (National Youth Project Using Motorbikes) participants from all over the east coast. NYPUM provides at-risk youth an opportunity to develop self-esteem, strong values and a sense of responsibility using minibikes as a motivational tool.  Through the use of minibikes, youths participate in challenging and fun activities with peers and positive adult role models. ANDRUS has been using the motorbike program on campus for over a decade.

  

The children engaged in a series of riding events including beginner and advanced woods trails, a hot dog race and relay races. "I have never before seen a competition where the actual competing took a back seat to ensuring a spirit of support, camaraderie, and mutual encouragement," said Stephan L. Spilkowitz ,the NYPUM program coordinator at ANDRUS.  

 

To help sponsor a trip for our children please contact Lorelei Vargas at [email protected]    

 

About ANDRUS

ANDRUS provides support and treatment for 2,500 children and their families throughout Westchester suffering from emotional illness and trauma. The agency offers prevention, assessment, educational, treatment and research programs that help children and families achieve healthy, stable lives.  ANDRUS has grown from its origins as an orphanage into a premier non-profit mental health, social service and special education provider and resource for Westchester.