Table of Contents
Cover Story:
Putting All The Pieces Together
County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef keeps Rockland in his sights
as he looks ahead to the Governor's race.
Feature Story:
Everybody's Going Downtown
What four of the county's villages are doing to encourage economic
development.
Feature Story:
The Expo's Coming!
Annual Business-to-Business event partners RBA with Mahwah Regional
Chamber of Commerce.
DEPARTMENTS:
Economics Roundup
• What's Your Investment Behavior?
• Taxes and Long-Term Care Insurance
Business Roundup
• HVCFI Accepting Applicants
• The Fine Art of Advertising
Retail Round-Up
• It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
• New in Town
Ask the Expert
• Human Resources
• Legal Matters
• Workplace Hotline
• Information Technology
Invest in Your Community
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• JCC-Y of Rockland's Capital Campaign
• Other News
Odds & Ends
• From The Publishers
• PR Patter
• Reaching Out to Small Business
• Rockland Joins the Empire
• Big News for Local Small Businesses
Dedicated Section:
Rockland Business Association:
The President’s Desk
Empire Zone designation, grant programs drive new opportunities for
business.
The Investor Hotline
Avoid these three common mistakes
RBA Happenings
• Other News
• Committee and Council Info
• Calendar of Events
• New Members
Invest
in Your Community :
Make-A-Wish Foundation is in
the Business of Making Wishes
Come
True for Ill
Children
By Ken Mahoney
How your business can assist in a wish.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley, the local chapter that serves eight area counties including Rockland, has opportunities for companies to become involved. The foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The chapter marks its 20th anniversary this year, and has granted over 116 wishes in Rockland County.
Companies can help not only through fundraising, but also through many volunteer opportunities. Currently, there are 51 volunteers in the local area helping The Hudson Valley chapter. Volunteers, especially those who are bilingual, serve as wish granters, coordinate fundraisers, help organize special events, and volunteer in many other capacities. Additionally, the foundation is always in need of companies and organizations to be part of their Adopt-A-Wish program, and to provide in-kind donations.
The benefit of a company’s support is often immeasurable in terms of building not only community but also employee goodwill. The organization finds most employees from corporate groups it works with, who know someone who has been impacted, either directly or indirectly, and are eager to help. They also appreciate their company’s support for the foundation. Companies find that it makes good business sense to align themselves with a well-known and highly respected charity as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is among the most recognized brands in the U.S. The Better Business Bureau consistently lists the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley among the top rated charities.
“This year we will complete over 125 wishes in the Hudson Valley, which is a record for us, said Thomas Conklin, President and CEO of the chapter. “We are casting a wider net to make sure that every child in our community who is eligible for a wish comes to us.”
However, by increasing the number of wishes granted, one of the biggest challenges facing the chapter is raising the money necessary to fulfill the fast-growing number of wishes.
The cost associated with coordinating a wish varies depending on the type of wish. Currently the average cost of a wish in the Hudson Valley has increased to $7,000, says Conklin. “Our challenge now is to raise money so that we continue to grant wishes to as many children as possible.”
For more information on how your company can become involved, contact Thomas Conklin at 914-478-WISH (9474) or Thomas_Conklin@hudson.wish.org, or visit the website at www.hudson.wish.org.
The Make-A-Wish Tree House
Becomes a Community Effort
A 5-year-old Pomona boy had always dreamed of having a tree house
in his back yard to escape to and play out his adventure fantasies
with his friends. Unfortunately, the family’s property didn’t
have a tree big enough to support such a house.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation researched alternatives and located a company that specializes in fabricating tree houses.
A company in California called Daniel's Wood Land specializes in building custom tree houses from real hollow trees, making backyards an enchanting hide a-way.
Steve Cole-Hatchard of Stony Point arranged for a series of local businesses to help with the project. Volunteers included Mel Mowery. “I was contacted by Steve Cole-Hatchard, who is a Make-A-Wish Board member,” says Mowery. “When I heard about this young child's story, I knew I would do whatever I could to help make his wish come true.”
Employees from DeForest Masonry of Thiells also came on board and volunteered their time to help with the treehouse foundation.
Olori Crane of Nanuet supplied the fork lift and Craig Alemi,
a Clarkstown Police officer and licensed contractor helped assemble
the tree house. RBD
What Do Kids Wish For??
Here are some examples of the wishes Hudson Valley children make:Fantasy Wishes: Many children, especially the littlest ones, make fantasy wishes. They want to swim with dolphins or be Spiderman for the day. Many also choose to meet their friends - Mickey, Goofy and other Disney Characters - at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Experiences: Some kids use their imagination to ask for a unique experience, such as meeting a long-lost relative, attend a movie premiere, or to see how Barbie dolls are made! One child traveled all the way to Asia to attend an independent study and service program.
Travel Wishes: Wish Kids have soared off on dream voyages to places like Florida, California, Hawaii, and international destinations like England, Ireland, Germany, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Thailand!
Gifts: They're not just presents wrapped in ordinary paper - they're dreams come true! Whether it's to have a puppy as a new family member, or an arcade right in their very own home, or to have a bedroom redecorated, or to be the guest of honor at a fabulous party - these wishes are truly magical!
Celebrity wishes: Have you ever wanted to talk to a sports idol or your favorite movie star...or even a cartoon character? Our children have met them all as part of an awe-inspiring experience! They've had special times with celebrities like Michael Jordan, Hillary Duff, President Bill Clinton, the "Wiggles", Tiger Woods, President Bush, the Pope and both the Boston Red Sox AND New York Yankees! They've even met the REAL Barney, SpongeBob Squarepants, "CatDog"... and Harry Potter himself! RBD
WALK FOR WISHES
Save the date for Make a Wish of the Hudson Valley’s
first annual walk-a-thon!On October 22, 2006, join us for this community-building event where you can help make wishes come true! Set an individual goal or recruit a team!
Stay tuned......More information to come soon!
Contact: Cathie Hirsh, 914-478-9474; E-mail address: Chirsh@hudson.wish.org
PROVIDENT BANK CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
DONATES $10,000 TO CONGERS VETERANS
MEMORIAL ASSOCIATIONThe Provident Bank Charitable Foundation has contributed $10,000 to the Veterans Memorial Association of Congers Inc. to help fund special events, parades and renovations to the charitable organization’s building.
The Veterans Memorial Association, perhaps best known for sponsoring Congers’ Memorial Day Parade, hopes to replace its building’s roof and make other renovations before its 60th anniversary celebration in 2008. The renovations are expected to cost about $77,000.
“The Provident Bank Charitable Foundation supports organizations that make up the fabric of the communities we serve,” said George Strayton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Provident Bank and a former member of the VMA’s board. “The Veterans Memorial Association has been an important part of life in Congers for decades and sponsors a number of popular community events every year. We are pleased to help support the VMA as it plans its 60th anniversary celebration and works to ensure that it will meet the community’s needs for decades to come.” RBD
