The Children's Enrichment Committee Doesn't Take The Summer Off

 We all love the long days and dreamy nights of summer and this summer was no exception.

But the needs of children don't take the summer off, and the Children's Enrichment Committee was there to help.

We paid for art therapy (not covered by insurance) for one child and made sure an active six-year-old would be kept busy at the local town's recreation program for six weeks. 

Other children got new clothes for school and a backpack filled with school supplies.

We were happy to give a family a baby gate to keep a child safe. For children in need of beds, the CEC, along with private donations, saw to it that bedframes, beds, mattresses, sheets and pillowcases were supplied.

Thanks to the wonderful generosity of the Slate Hill (NY) Quilters, along with the beds came beautiful handmade quilts that can be treasured for a lifetime.

Autumn is a season with its own beauty and challenges. The Children's Enrichment Committee, with friends like the Slate Hill Quilters, will be there to help and support the children of Orange County. 

Fun And Funds

For over a hundred years, the Children's Enrichment Committee has been giving a helping hand to the children of Orange County. To provide that help, we look for ways to raise funds.

We appreciate all the different people and organizations who have shared our mission with their generosity. But sometimes, we admit, it's nice when there's some fun attached.

For example, there was the fundraising theater party provided by the Muddy Waters Players at the Playhouse at Museum Village. CEC members joined other theatergoers for a performance of Agatha Christie's A Murder Is Announced. There was twist after delightful twist, proving (in case there was any doubt) that Miss Marple was smarter than the police and most if not all of the audience (present company very much included). 

If the play wasn't pleasurable enough, during intermission we were invited to have apple pie a la mode. 

The Muddy Waters Players upcoming schedule includes The 39 Steps, Seussical, and Murder Mystery Manhattan. 

But fun and fundraising can take us on different paths. Every month J's Place in Middletown donates $3 from each purchase of his creative and varied "tinis." This month, the "tini" is watermelon based, which sounds perfect for a summertime drink. Actually, the entire menu sounds perfect. 

The CEC will always be grateful to area businesses who help out. But we admit to a little extra gratitude when it comes with a fun time!

 

We Live To Give

The Children's Enrichment Committee loves to give clothes and furniture to children in need. We've been in the habit for well over 100 years. Our donors are a wonderful and varied group. We are especially appreciative of the multi-year generosity of Stewart Shops. Make sure to get one of their wonderful ice cream cones on the next glorious spring day. 

This year we've given school clothes to eight children (remember how excited you were with a new school outfit). To make the gift even more special, we gave each one a hand knit winter cap and a beautiful quilt. 

Clothes and quilts are great, but sometimes a kid just needs furniture. It's hard to sit down and do homework in a home that doesn't have a table and chairs. So the CEC was happy to donate them.

 Of course there's more to life than homework. Kids have to exercise and what better way than by biking, The CEC was happy to provide a bike and a helmet as well.

When the Children's Enrichment Committee gives, it gets in return the incomparable pleasure of knowing we've made children's lives a little bit better and, we hope, a whole lot happier. There are truly fewer things in life more rewarding than seeing a child smile. 

And you'll smile too when you get that Peanut Butter Pandemonium ice cream cone at Stewart Shops!