A Word From CEC President Liz Hrabowsky

 For over 100 years, the all-volunteer Children’s Enrichment Committee has given to children with financial needs in Orange County, with our primary focus on those in foster care. 

This year, in addition to the six Emily Akers Scholarships awarded to graduating high school seniors for use in colleges and trade schools, we gave grants to three current students to help them purchase supplies and books. We gave requested holiday presents to 110 foster children and included with each a gift card, a homemade blanket and hat. One child enjoyed 2 weeks in summer camp. Another got needed therapy utensils and dishes, as well as a stuffed animal to cherish. And two young adults received personalized memory boxes and gift cards in recognition of their aging out of the system. 

Your generous tax-deductible donation will go directly to area children, making their days a little brighter, a little easier. 

As always, we thank you for your support.  

Back To Normal And Delighted To Be There

 It's a Children's Enrichment Committee tradition to have our June meeting be a luncheon with a guest speaker. But as you can imagine, traditions weren't easy to keep during the past couple of years.

So this June was first time in three years we've been able to return to normal. Even our meetings during the past couple of years have been a challenge. Once, we met in a park and learned meetings are hard to hold outdoors on a windy day. For a long stretch we met at the Dispute Resolution Center in Middletown, NY. We were very appreciative of their letting us use their meeting room, but it still didn't feel like home.

This spring our regular meeting space at Middletown Thrall Library reopened and we were thrilled to be back.

And now it's June and time for our luncheon.

Everyone pays for their own lunch, since we take pride that all money donated to the CEC goes to children. We vote on how much we're willing to pay and we find a restaurant that works with our needs and we get to eat good food, socialize, conduct a little bit of business, and learn from our guest speaker.

This year our lunch was at Delancey's Restaurant, in Goshen, NY. As you can see, they did a lovely job, making the space charming and hospitable. 

Pat Kind, chair of our Emily Akers Scholarship Committee, told us about the six Orange County high school seniors we had awarded with scholarships, each one selected for showing great determination and achievement while facing significant personal challenges.

Our guest speaker was Cynthia Weintraub. She's on the board of both Jewish Family Service and People For People Fund. She told us about both organizations and her personal journey to them.

It promises to be a busy summer for the CEC. Previous winners of the Emily Akers Scholarships have turned to us for help with purchasing items for their dorm rooms or book for their classes. We're also looking into how we can help children attending summer camp with shoes and supplies they will need. 

Normal for us is giving. And we are delighted to be back to normal!