Chappaqua Rotary, New Castle Ready for Community Day

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This Saturday is Community Day 2012 in Chappaqua, one of the key annual fundraisers organized by the Chappaqua Rotary to help various non-profit groups in the area. It takes place at the Metro-North train station parking lot from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The objective is to bring people to the center of the community and help our community,” said Rotary President Linda Kallner. “It’s just a way to bring everybody together to this one place on one day where we raise money for different organizations.”

With games, music and rides sponsored by local businesses and food and entertainment, including a DJ who will be playing tunes throughout the day, the event has been a big hit for residents of all ages.

But Community Day is more than fun and games. Keeping in step with the Rotary’s motto of service above self, there will be more than 100 vendors and exhibitors, including local merchants. Non-profit organizations will be on hand to inform the public about the various services and resources provided. There will also be free books from the library, a blood drive and the county clerk’s office will have its mobile passport unit stationed on the grounds to accept passport applications.

Also this year, Horace Greeley High School junior Alex Martinez, currently a Life Scout with Troop 1 in Chappaqua, will be collecting items for Blythedale Children’s Hospital patients as part of his Eagle Scout project. The public is encouraged to bring new, unwrapped items for youngsters between the ages of 3 and 19, such as arts and crafts, books, games and toys, electronics and personal care items to place in activity boxes around the hospital, Martinez said.

For anyone who misses Martinez or forgets to bring an item, collection boxes will be at the Chappaqua Public Library until Nov. 1.

While the Chappaqua Rotary receives requests from businesses throughout the area to participate on Community Day, the event focuses on bringing New Castle residents and merchants together, said Rotary Club Treasurer Pamela Thornton.

Thornton said this year there are several additions to the lineup, such as Millwood Animal Hospital, which will have an “Ask the Vet” service on hand; the SPCA; WeeZee, the new children’s sensory play space, will provide interactive activities; and Cathy’s Hair Room will provide complimentary hair bead braiding.

Kallner said the Rotary is keeping its fingers crossed for a rain-free event. Previously, in the event of inclement weather, organizers shifted the operation indoors to Robert E. Bell Middle School. However, the headaches involved to move to the school has forced organizers to scuttle backup plans.

While Community Day is a Rotary organized event, Town Administrator Penny Paderewski said New Castle does everything it can to assist.

“It brings people into the downtown, the town has a booth with some of its committees,” Paderewski said. “It’s really just a collaborative effort.”