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Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
265 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.949.9300
info@westchesterarc.org

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Mary Calvi, CBS News Anchor, gave a special shotgun welcome to the golfers.

Another Golfing Success...For Our Kids!

The ninth annual “Golfing for Kids” benefit, held in June at Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains, raised over $145,000 for pre-schoolers attending Westchester Arc’s Children’s School for Early Development.  The school provides educational, social and support services for children with special needs, from birth to five years of age, and their families.

From left, Bob Paladino, event co-chair; Mary Calvi, CBS news anchor; Tony Rizzi, event chair; Fran Porcaro, director, Children's School for Early Development; and Gene Porcaro, event co-chair.

Over two hundred guests enjoyed a beautiful day and a new venue at the prestigious Ridgeway Country Club on a green that included gourmet meals and mouth-watering cocktails during the event hosted by the Westchester Arc Foundation and The Children’s School for Early Development.

Special guest Mary Calvi—CBS new anchor—graciously addressed the crowd prior to the shotgun start from the club’s terrace. She applauded the attendees for their continued support of children with special needs and wished them a wonderful day on the course.
Golfers enjoyed a terrific day on a spectacular golf course.
Everyone hoped to win a car by scoring a hole in one.
Staff from the Children’s School took a break to pose with special guest CBS Anchor Mary Calvi. Shown from left are Fran Porcaro, Kathy Higgins, Mary Calvi, Cecelia Barelli and Barbara Spatola.
Maggie and Fred Mascia accepted a painting of handprints created by students at the Children’s School.

The evening’s awards banquet honored Maggie and Fred Mascia of Pleasantville for their tireless commitment on behalf of children with developmental disabilities and their families. They have been steadfast supporters of children with special needs, including our own Children’s School for Early Development, for more than 20 years. The Elizabeth Mascia Center in Tarrytown was the first preschool in Westchester County to welcome students from the Children’s School for a play group. In September of 2001, this early partnership led to the development of a special class in an integrated setting, for children with autism, at the Mascia Center.

Amazing raffle and live auction prizes included a dazzling Carribean cruise, dream getaways in the Virgin Islands and Castles in Ireland. Other items included vacations in Maine and Florida, and tickets to sporting events and Saturday Night Live to name a few.

Children’s School Director Fran Porcaro was overwhelmed by the generosity of all attendees and thanked them for their continued commitment in providing innovative and education support to over 200 children with special needs. She made a special call out and thank you to last year's honorees, Jazmine and Keith Cox, along with event supporters, who raised an additional $23,000 toward the purchase of a much needed school van.

Fran Porcoro showed off the keys to school's new van while guests made final bids on over 60 silent auction items.
Children's School parent Michelle Christi (at left), spoke about the services her family receives at the school and the Santucci family entertained the crowd.
No one wanted the night to end, especially Fred and Maggie Mascia.