120th Anniversary Gala Journal

Ossining Children’s Center
Anniversary Gala
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120
Y E A R S
Honoring BETSY BLOCK
and DAVID SWOPE
Diamond Sponsor
Ossining Children’s Center
OUR HEARTFELT THANKS
TO THE STAFF
of the
Ossining Children’s Center
YOU ARE THE UNSUNG
“PHILANTHROPISTS.”
The educational skills
and the loving attention
you give to our community’s
children make a priceless
contribution to our society.
BETSY BLOCK
and
DAVID SWOPE
120 Anniversary Gala
th
Honoring
Betsy Block
and
David Swope
to benefit the Tuition
Assistance Program
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill,
Tarrytown
Music by the ABC’s of Jazz
Diamond
H I L D RNEG
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“Unless
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Betsy Block: Our Champion for Children
David Swope: Our Big Picture Thinker – and Doer
Good Evening!
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Love Learning
DIRECTORS
Elizabeth Block
Silver Sponsor
Noreen Celente
WHO
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John Chow
Natalie Gorlin
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Stephanie Kloss
Susan Komosa
of so many important
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Mark Levine
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Brian McVeigh
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Kathleen Pedowitz
And Patricia Pollock
Madelyn Ricciardi
Lisa Rosenbloom
do we turn to for advice
and action?
Rebecca Samberg
MaryAnn van Hengel
Carol Welsh
Marilyn Wishnie
Kim Woody
Patrick Yost
WHO
al—regardless
THANK YOU
DAVID
Ossining Children’s Center
A DV I S O R
Anniversary Gala
Anita Hegarty
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ASSOCIATE
DIRECTORS
Ann E. Dealy
Irwin Kavy
Paul Rosen
120
H O N O R A RY
DIRECTORS
Mary Louise Baer
Ruth Baer
Elisabeth Baker A Message from our Co-Presidents
Jane Dixon
Leslie Grey Puner Dear Friends,
Rosalie Kavy
On behalf of the Ossining Children’s Center’s Board of Directors, welcome to
Jerome Morrissy this special celebration. While we are honoring two extraordinary leaders in the
development of the Children’s Center, we also want to honor YOU.
David Swope
Indeed, Betsy Block and David Swope are exemplars of the kind of commitment and
Sally Ziegler
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
Howard Milbert
Ossining Children’s Center
generosity that the Children’s Center enjoys from our amazing circle of supporters:
board members, donors, volunteers, advocates, community organizations, houses of
worship, public officials, parents and staff.
In fact, when experts in early childhood education, youth programs, not-for-profit
management, philanthropy or child care visit the Center, they are impressed at the
BET
S Y BLO
CK
breadth and depth of the support that the Center receives from the
community.
We
can’t thank you enough.
Honoring
and DAVID S WO PE
90-92 South Highland Ave, Ossining, NY 10562 This event is the kick-off to a year-long celebration of the Center’s extraordinary 120year history. We hope you will join us for our other anniversary events throughout
| OssiningChildrensCenter.org | 914-941-0230 | 2015 and 2016.
Sincerely yours,
Yvonne and Leslie
Joan McGinty John Chow
Co-PresidentCo-President
G
N’S
DIRECTORS
A DV I S O R
Elizabeth Block
Noreen Celente
John Chow
Natalie Gorlin
Mary Hurowitz
Debra Kittay
Stephanie Kloss
Susan Komosa
Jill Lerner
Mark Levine
Joan McGinty
Brian McVeigh
Darryl Moy
Kathleen Pedowitz
Patricia Pollock
Madelyn Ricciardi
Lisa Rosenbloom
Rebecca Samberg
MaryAnn van Hengel
Carol Welsh
Marilyn Wishnie
Kim Woody
Patrick Yost
Anita Hegarty
OCC is the Best. Thank you, everyone, for the
Love Learning years we spent with you.
nment where
Thank you, David and Betsy,
for your devotion to the Center.
tuition assistance
and empowers
We love you Grammy and are so
al—regardless
proud of you! Congratulations!
ged, and eager
Elsa, Libby, Cecelia and Joe Block
Ossining Children’s Center
Anniversary Gala
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ASSOCIATE
DIRECTORS
Ann E. Dealy
Irwin Kavy
Paul Rosen
120
H O N O R A RY
DIRECTORS
Mary Louise Baer
Ruth Baer
Elisabeth Baker Dear Friends,
Jane Dixon
Leslie Grey Puner Thank you for being part of this evening’s special celebration in which we are
honoring two people, Betsy Block and David Swope, who have championed our long
Rosalie Kavy
tradition of volunteer leadership. Yet, Betsy and David are the first to say, “It’s great to
Jerome Morrissy celebrate our history, but we also need to be looking to the future.”
David Swope
The future looks challenging for the not-for-profit sector in general, and for the notfor-profit child care community in particular.
Sally Ziegler
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
Howard Milbert
Ossining Children’s Center
The Ossining Children’s Center has pioneered higher standards in child care – both
by setting an example ourselves, and by advocating for higher standards at the
state and national levels. We have been very successful in this advocacy. Moreover,
research that proves the efficacy of high quality educational child care has received
unprecedented coverage in the media. Yet, at the same time, government funding for
BET Sessential
Y BLO
our work keeps dwindling. So, greater philanthropic support has become
to CK
our ability to maintain the high quality that our mission demands.
Honoring
and DAVID S WO PE
90-92 South Highland Ave, Ossining, NY 10562 More than ever, we need philanthropic leaders like Betsy and David. Who are the
emerging leaders who will be the Ossining Children’s Center’s champions in the
| OssiningChildrensCenter.org | 914-941-0230 | coming years and decades? You have already shown your current commitment
through your support this evening. Won’t you join us in meeting the challenges of the
future?
Sincerely yours,
Howard Milbert, Executive Director
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en feel safe,
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n! Your generosity
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The original “Christ Child Day Nursery and Bethany Home”
provided -- not just child day care -- but also a home for
senior citizens: one of the first intergenerational programs of
its kind. Pictured here are some residents of “Bethany Home”
on Ann Street.
The original incorporation papers of the
“Christ Child Day Nursery and Bethany
Home,” today’s Ossining Children’s Center.
The playground at the Center’s original location on
Ann Street.
Fundraising brochure from 1953. Note: the annual budget was $24,313. Today, the Ossining
Children’s Center’s annual budget is $2 million.
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As times changed, and women of every economic status joined the workforce, Ossining
Children’s Center’s enrollment began to reflect the socio-economic diversity of
Ossining. During World War II, for example, many Ossining women joined the war effort
by doing jobs vacated by men who joined the military. The government instituted a
universal child care program at that time to make it feasible for mothers to join the
workforce. At that time, “Christ Child Day Nursery and Bethany Home” changed its name
to the “Ossining Children’s Center” in order to qualify for government funding. The
name change reflected the fact that the Center’s mission had always been non-sectarian.
In the 1960s, as more and more mothers began working outside the home, the Ossining
Children’s Center became involved in advocacy for working families. The Center’s
Executive Director at the time, Sally Ziegler, led the formation of a Westchester Countywide day care directors’ association. This group became strong advocates for public
policy regarding child care. The directors’ association evolved into the Child Care
Council of Westchester, with Sally Ziegler as its first Executive Director. Since Sally
Ziegler’s time, the Ossining Children’s Center has continued to play a leadership
role in advocacy for children and working parents.
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Betsy Block
Connie and John Curran
Anita and Michael Hegarty
Drusilla van Hengel
Westchester Children’s Association
Marilyn and Richard Wishnie
Special Thanks to those who donated
Professional Services
Graphic Design:
Stephanie Kloss and Lisa Rosenbloom
Photography: MaryAnn van Hengel
Slide Show Production: Christina DaCosta
Elizabeth Block
David Swope grew up in Ossining in a family with a long
tradition of community service. In 1957, his family donated
the land that became the core of Teatown Lake Reservation.
David’s father served on the board of Phelps Memorial
Hospital, and his mother, Sally Swope, was a devoted board
member of the Ossining Children’s Center.
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Betsy Block hails originally from Cincinnati. She went to Smith
College, and upon graduation, moved to New York City to
work as an assistant buyer, and later, fashion coordinator, at
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Another distinguishing characteristic of David’s board service is his interest in creating
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among organizations. He initiated the Ossining Children’s Center - Jacob Burns
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Film Center partnership some 12 years ago to pilot the “Minds in Motion,” animated film
workshop; “Minds in Motion” is now an annual staple of OCC’s summer camp, and one of JBFC’s
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Throughout her work on her graduate degree and her teaching career, Betsy’s commitment
to the Ossining Children’s Center never wavered. She has always served on several board
committees. She served as Board president three different times during three different
decades: the 1980s, the 1990’s and the 2000’s. In 1994, she chaired the Capital Campaign, which
funded the purchase and renovation of 92 South Highland Avenue, now home of the Center’s
exemplary Infant-Toddler Program.
94
In a thoughtful, understated way, David challenges organizations to move beyond their comfort
zones. When he first joined the board of the Ossining Children’s Center, he encouraged the
board to embark on the organization’s first-ever endowment campaign. The campaign brought
the Center’s combined endowment and reserve funds to close to $2 million, the annual revenue
from which funds close to $100,000 annually in child care scholarships.
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Once all four of Betsy’s children were in school, she went back to school herself, earning a
master’s degree in education at Bank Street College in New York City. Her choice of Bank
Street was no accident; its educational philosophy mirrors that of OCC: the education of the
whole child—the entire emotional, social, physical, and intellectual being. Upon completing
her master’s, Betsy became a teacher and curriculum coordinator at Rye Country Day School,
where she taught until her retirement in 2007.
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He has been an active board member of the Open Door Family Medical Centers Foundation,
Westchester Community College and its Foundation, and the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC),
of which he is Chairman Emeritus. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Westchester
Community College.
One of the committees Betsy served on was the Search Committee for a new Executive Director
in 1985. The Search Committee was looking for a forward thinking educator who also had
experience with advocacy on public policy. Little did they know that they would find someone
who would establish the Ossining Children’s Center as the gold standard in early childhood
education, and make the Center and child care advocacy his life’s work: OCC’s current director
Howard Milbert.
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While building Club Fit, as well as his real estate investment company, David also immersed
himself in community service. He has been involved with Teatown for four decades, serving on
the board and in many leadership positions, including board chairman. Following in both of his
parents’ footsteps, he served on the board of Phelps Hospital, and, in 1998, he joined the board
of the Ossining Children’s Center (OCC). Although he stepped down from the Board of OCC in
2006, he has continued to serve as a valued advisor.
Betsy, Jay and family moved to Briarcliff Manor in 1967. It didn’t take long for Betsy to get
engaged in the local community. She joined the Hudson Bells choral group, and was first
introduced to the Ossining Children’s Center when the Bells came to sing for the children at
the Center. Shortly thereafter, she began doing volunteer work for OCC. Her commitment to
OCC’s mission was evident, and it wasn’t long before she was asked to join the Board.
4-
In the 1970s, when his father became ill, David returned to Ossining to manage his father’s
business: the Jefferson Valley Racquet Club. He and his business partner, Beth Beck,
transformed that 800-member club into today’s “Club Fit,” two cutting-edge multi-sport
recreational complexes, with more than 14,000 members.
She married Jay Block and shortly thereafter “retired” from
Bloomingdale’s when she and Jay started a family. While
she was raising her four children, she committed herself to
volunteer work with organizations serving underprivileged
children and families.
91
David graduated from Harvard and Columbia Law School, and
took his family’s service ethic global. He served as a Peace
Corps volunteer in India, where he helped set up the first
legal-assistance program in Bombay. After completing his Peace Corps service, he worked as a
lawyer at White and Case in New York City.
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Our Honorees
Betsy retired from Rye Country Day School in 2007, and soon after she was drafted to serve her
third stint as OCC board president. She also began tutoring in the Children’s Center’s AfterSchool Program, which she continues to do two afternoons a week.
and
DEAREST DAVID,
You are the best friend a Children’s Center
could have. The best friend anyone could
have!
Love from Janet and Ben
Congratulations to honorees
Betsy Block and David Swope,
who exemplify everything
a true leader should be.
And congratulations to the
Ossining Children’s Center
on its 120th Anniversary.
OCC has not only stayed abreast of the times,
but remains out front with its Four Star high quality,
nurturing early childhood education.
Kathleen and Larry Pedowitz
Briarcliff
914-762-3444 www.clubfit.com
Jefferson Valley
914-245-4040
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B OA R D
OF
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CONGRATULATIONS
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our tuition
eager
owers
BETSY
ial—regar
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to two of
Anniversary
HONOR
A RY
DIRECT
ORS
120
Mary Lou
Thank you, OCC, for ise Baer
Ruth Baer
120 years of care and education
Elisabeth
Baker of the children in our community!
Jane Dixo
n
Leslie Gre
y Puner
Rosalie Ka
A heartfelt thank you to David Swope and
vy
Jerome M
orrissy Betsy Block for their many years of unwavering
David Swo
pe
support, inspiration and leadership !!! Sally Zieg
ler
BLOCK and DAVID SWOPE
From Barbara and Tom Cleveland
EXECU
TIVE
DIRECT
OR
Howard M
Children
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| Ossinin
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Irwin Kav
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Paul Rose
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Great Leaders,
Ossining
Ossin
ing Childr
ASSOCI
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ATE
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THANK
YOU,
OCC,
DIRECT
O R S for doing such great work for our kids of Ossining.
Ann E. De
aly
-DORRY SWOPE
Ossining Children’s Center’s
assistance
s and emp
Anita Heg
arty
AND MANY THANKS
o Love Lear
vironmen
Elizabeth
Block
Noreen C
elente
John Chow
Natalie G
orlin
Mary Hur
owitz
Debra Kit
tay
Stephanie
Kloss
Susan Kom
osa
Jill Lerner
Mark Levi
ne
Joan McG
inty
Brian McV
eigh
Darryl Mo
y
Kathleen
Pedowitz
Patricia Po
llock
Madelyn
Ricciardi
Lisa Rose
nbloom
Rebecca S
amberg
MaryAnn
van Heng
el
Carol Wel
sh
Marilyn W
ishnie
Kim Wood
y
Patrick Yo
st
DEVEL
OPMEN
T
A DV I S O
R
Congratulations to all!
Anita and Michael Hegarty
Honoring B E
a
TSY BLO
CK
DAVID SWOPE
& BETSY BLOCK:
We thank you for your generosity
and commitment
in improving the lives of those less fortunate
Congratulations to a
Wonderful Organization
Led by Wonderful People!
Beverley and Sabin Streeter
Debby Kittay & Josh Parker
It takes a village and
what a village you have created!
We salute all involved with
the Ossining Children’s Center
for your steadfast support of
the Community’s children.
With admiration,
Joanne Landau and Fred Schwalb
CONGRATULATIONS, DAVID AND BETSY.
Jill and Jonathan Lerner
Congratulations, David,
on this wonderful honor!
From your friends at
Phelps Memorial Hospital Center
www.mack-cali.com
Honor
Mack-Cali is proud to support the
Ossining Chidlren’s Center. We join in
congratulating Betsy Block and David
Swope.
100 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, NY 10523 | 914.592.4800
Congratulations to our long-time friend
To the OCC staff –
You give our kids love and encouragement.
You nurture their curiosity.
You support their efforts to master new challenges.
You make learning a joy!
David Swope
A man who gives so much of himself to help so many
Liz & Geoff Thompson
Thank you,
the OCC Parents Committee
(914) 762-1900
thompson-bender.com
Advertising
Marketing
Public Relations
CONGRATULATIONS
NITA AND STEPHEN LOWEY
BETSY and DAVID,
salute
Ossining Children’s Center
for your long service
as you mark your
120th Anniversary Gala and
and dedication
Congratulate your honorees,
to the children of the Center.
BETSY BLOCK
and
DAVID SWOPE.
OUR THANKS,
Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey
What a team!
Celebrating
Mary Hurowitz
& everyone’s dedication to
Ossining Children’s Center
feel the LOVE,
your tennis friends
The van Hengel and Loughlin Families
Happy 120th Anniversary
to the
Ossining Children’s Center
and
Many Thanks to
Betsy Block
and
David Swope
for their generous
ongoing support.
Leslie Grey Puner
CONGRATULATIONS,
BETSY AND DAVID
Thank you for all your efforts
on behalf of OCC.
Ruth Baer
0
2
1
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Elizabeth Block
Noreen Celente
John Chow
Natalie Gorlin
Mary Hurowitz
Debra Kittay
Stephanie Kloss
Susan Komosa
Jill Lerner
Mark Levine
Joan McGinty
Brian McVeigh
Darryl Moy
Kathleen Pedowitz
Patricia Pollock
Madelyn Ricciardi
Lisa Rosenbloom
Rebecca Samberg
MaryAnn van Hengel
Carol Welsh
Marilyn Wishnie
Kim Woody
Patrick Yost
S
R
A
E
Y
Development Advisor
Anita Hegarty
Associate Directors
Ann E. Dealy
Irwin Kavy
Paul Rosen
Honorary Directors
Mary Louise Baer
Ruth Baer
Elisabeth Baker
Jane Dixon
Leslie Grey Puner
Rosalie Kavy
Mirla Morrison
Jerome Morrissy
David Swope
Sally Ziegler
Save These Dates!
Save these dates for more OCC Anniversary
Celebrations and Benefit Events
Food, Wine and Beer Tasting Benefit
Thursday, May 28, 6:30 pm
Westchester Marriott,
670 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown
Ossining Children’s Center Historical Display
Month of June at the Ossining Public Library
Opening Reception: Friday, June 5, 6:30 pm
K
C
O
L
B
Y
S
T
E Festive Stroll of Holiday Homes
E
P
B
g
O
Friday and Saturday, November 20 & 21
n
Executive Director
i
W
r
o
S
n
Benefit Luncheon, Friday, November 20
Howard
D
HoMilbert
I
V
A
D
and
CONGRATULATIONS
to tonight’s honorees
BETSY BLOCK
and
DAVID SWOPE
Your time, dedication and support
given to the
OSSINING CHILDREN’S CENTER
has benefitted, educated and nurtured
Ossining’s children and families.
WE THANK YOU!
John & Connie Curran