On January 7th, many of Westchester’s influential and generous residents enthusiastically braved a snowstorm to support JCCA’s annual fundraiser, “A Tree Grows in Pleasantville,” held on our Pleasantville Cottage Campus.

The festive event was co-chaired by Judy Shapiro of Armonk, Tema Bomback and Julianne Cohn Metzger, both of Chappaqua, and Lisa Cutler of White Plains. The evening featured delicious cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and an exciting and successful auction conducted by CK Swett. A moving video profile of three campus young people provided a compelling story of how JCCA provides traumatized children with the help they so desperately need.

The benefit, now in its 12th year, supports JCCA’s Pleasantville Cottage Campus programs for vulnerable children with serious emotional and family problems. This year’s event focused on enhancing the well-being and safety of the children who live on campus. The costs of many of the services JCCA provides—a caring and professional staff, a campus school, counseling, therapeutic arts, recreation and internships—are not completely supported by government contracts. Yet these are the very things that have the greatest impact on a child’s sense of self-worth and happiness, and help them attain love, support and a chance for a bright and hopeful future.

The event also honored the 25 dedicated “Lunch Bunch Cottage Captains” on the campus. These dedicated volunteers organize monthly meals and activities for the young residents in each cottage. Their commitment, love and support have a significant positive impact on these at-risk children and also enrich their own lives profoundly.

Ronald Richter, CEO of JCCA, remarked, “I want to thank the Co-Chairs and the entire committee for their enthusiastic support. And we are so grateful to our wonderful attendees who made it to the event through the snow, made it a memorable evening, and made a real difference for the kids on our Pleasantville Cottage Campus. It was a truly magical evening.”