On Monday October 2nd, 2023, The Arc Westchester Foundation held it’s 23rd Annual Golfing For Kids fundraiser. The event was hosted at Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford, raised more than $200,000 to benefit the nonprofit’s Children’s School for Early Development. The school provides educational, social and support services for children from birth to five years of age and their families, with funds raised from this event helping the Children’s School maintain its standard of excellence, at no cost to families.

The beautiful weather made for a glorious day of golf for our 134 golfers, with more than 180 total attendees joining us later in the evening for our reception. The reception itself was co-hosted by PIX11’s Magee Hickey, who spoke passionately about her personal connection to the special needs community, and expressed her support of The Arc Westchester’s mission.

The Arc Westchester Foundation honored The Manor Club of Pelham with the 2023 Community Partner Award for its longstanding support of our programs and services.

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.

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 Children’s School for Early Development runs at a significant deficit every year due to a continual lack of equitable funding from New York State – which was further impacted by the recent COVID-19 health crisis. Students attend The Children’s School at no cost to their families. As a result, we rely on additional funding through grants and special events such as Golfing for Kids which allows for The Children’s School to remain open, active and effective in providing young children with the learning opportunities and supports they need in order to achieve lifelong educational and developmental success.

Just a few examples include…

• Technology and access to on-line learning materials and activities used to enhance instruction.

• Class trips to integrate community learning with classroom instruction.

• Furniture, therapeutic and art supplies, and toys for all classrooms.

• Staff development workshops and conferences presented by leaders in the field of early childhood special education.

MGA Golf Clinic at Golfing For Kids

This year’s Golfing For Kids also featured a first time collaboration with the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA), with the local organization hosting it’s 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. MGA’s Mission Statement : To champion, advance, and invest in the game and its future through services for the Met Area golf community.