The Arc Westchester Foundation Raises More Than $200,000 at 23rd Annual Golfing for Kids Outing
Funds raised benefit The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School for Early Development
Westchester County, N.Y. (October 13, 2023) – The Arc Westchester Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing public awareness and raising financial resources to support The Arc Westchester’s programs and services for people with developmental disabilities, today announced that its 23rd Annual Golfing for Kids Outing, hosted at Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford, raised more than $200,000 to benefit the nonprofit’s Children’s School for Early Development. The event, which took place on October 2nd, hosted 134 golfers, and more than 180 attendees then joined for a reception co-hosted by PIX11’s Magee Hickey. This year’s event honored The Manor Club of Pelham for its longstanding support of The Arc Westchester and the people it serves.
“The Manor Club of Pelham has been a loyal partner of ours for many years,” Fran Higgins, Deputy Executive Director of The Arc Westchester Foundation, said. “From mentorship to fundraising, the Club has supported our efforts to foster inclusive communities where people of all abilities are celebrated for their contributions and given the opportunity to build meaningful relationships. We are grateful to the Club for their unwavering commitment to our mission and look forward to a bright future of continued collaboration.”
The relationship between The Arc Westchester and The Manor Club of Pelham began eight years ago when participants in the organization’s day services programs started volunteering during the Club’s Tuesday luncheons. This collaboration has taught participants not only kitchen skills, but also valuable teamwork, social and listening skills. As the relationship has grown – and friendships have been forged – new avenues for collaboration have emerged, including the opportunity for people with developmental disabilities to sell their artwork and hand-knitted items at the Club’s Holiday Boutique. This enduring relationship exemplifies the power of collaboration, compassion and the shared pursuit of a more inclusive society.
“Golfing with Kids is a vital fundraising event to support The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School for Early Development,” Barry Clark, Executive Director of The Arc Westchester Foundation, said. “We know that early interventions and assessments are critical for setting children with developmental disabilities up for success in the classroom and the community, and we are thankful to all of the golfers who came out today to help make an impact.”
The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School for Early Development provides educational, social and support services for children from birth to five years of age and their families. The funds raised by Golfing for Kids helps the Children’s School maintain its standard of excellence, while continuing to offer services to families at no cost. The program’s early intervention services are now delivered entirely in community settings, and more than 80% of the Children’s School graduates attend community schools, versus 16% nation-wide.
This year’s Golfing for Kids fundraiser also featured a first-time collaboration with the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA), with the local organization hosting its inaugural Adaptive Golf Clinic at the same course as Golfing for Kids. The clinic featured teaching professional Mark Thornell from Haworth CC in NJ, providing an hour-long lesson on the fundamentals of golf to 10 young adults supported by The Arc Westchester. The mission of the MGA is to champion, advance, and invest in the game and its future through services for the Met Area golf community.
To learn more about The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School, visit www.arcwestchester.org.
