Westchester Residents, Groups Saluted for Charity Fundraising Efforts

The Westchester Association of Development Officers is set to honor those who have made a positive impact in the nonprofit community at its 10th annual Philanthropy Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 15 at Tappan Hill, in Tarrytown.

The breakfast salutes residents and organizations for either their philanthropic efforts or their dedication to their mission in the roles of philanthropist, nonprofit board member, corporation, foundation or professional fundraiser.

The 2012 Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year is Sharon Bendersky, director of Tax Audits and Non Income Corporate Finance at New York Stock Exchange Euronet. The Westchester Association of Development Officers says Bendersky’s passionate dedication to help young people at St. Christopher’s in Dobbs Ferry has inspired many others to help improve and change the lives of teens, particularly those with special needs, as they transition into adulthood.

- Markham F. Rollins, III, president of The Rollins Agency and a resident of Harrison, will receive the award for Nonprofit Board Member of the Year for his work with The Volunteer Center of United Way and Family Services of Westchester. He is also recognized as a founding member/sponsor of the recently created Non Profit Association of Westchester.

- New Rochelle’s Grace Ferri, VP of Development and Marketing at United Hebrew of New Rochelle, will receive the Professional Fundraiser of the Year Award in recognition of her remarkable dedication to United Hebrew and the community, and her willingness to become a friend to other organizations.

- Jaclyn Carlin, a senior at Scarsdale High School, will receive the Youth in Philanthropy Award for her commitment to empowering children to change their own lives. Westchester Jewish Community Services nominated her for her dedication to two of their programs: Amazing Afternoons at Edward Williams Elementary School in Mount Vernon, and Transforming the Lives of Children Through Music.

- White Plains Rotary will receive the Community Partner Award for raising money for other charities, providing scholarships and holding community events. White Plains Rotary has awarded scholarships to graduating seniors from the town’s high schools for many years, and is an integral part of the community.

- Lucille Geraci-Miranda, the Westchester Association of Development Officers’s immediate Past President and a resident of Peekskill, will receive the Peter J. Gallagher Award for Leadership & Service to Westchester ADO.

Sponsorships and individual tickets for the breakfast are available online at http://www.adoonline.org. For more information about the breakfast, contact this year’s Co-Chairs: Kurt Kannemeyer, of St. Christopher’s, Inc., at kkannemeyer@sc1881.org and Susan Dishart, of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, at sdishart@guidingeyes.org.

The Westchester Association of Development Officers is dedicated to the advancement of fundraising and philanthropy in the Hudson Valley Region, and its members have joined together since 1980 to raise public awareness and interest in philanthropy and charitable giving. The organization promotes high ethical fundraising standards and provides educational opportunities for those involved or interested in the field of fundraising.