A joint venture with Entergy, “Planning Ahead” is your source for upcoming not-for-profit events, philanthropic and sponsorship opportunities and much more.

“With Westchester’s prolific not-for-profit, business, cultural and arts community, there’s always something going on – annual meetings, gala events or that last golf outing of the season,” said Ken Theobalds, Director of Governmental Affairs for Entergy. “Navigating this busy business and social scene is almost impossible.

‘Planning Ahead’ provides a calendar of major events and sponsorship opportunities, with insightful comments from community and business leaders, as well as helpful marketing and branding tips for making the most of your next event. It’s a great tool for planners, marketers, community relations professionals and those executives involved in corporate philanthropy.”

A date conflict can be a huge hurdle to overcome. For not-for-profit leaders, development officers, and special events planners, “Planning Ahead” offers essential information for organizing and promoting successful major benefits.

The “Planning Ahead” master calendar is an invaluable resource for planners and the public to help avoid scheduling conflicts and assure that we al work together to keep our charities thriving.

Referencing “Planning Ahead” when you are booking your next event is an easy step towards securing the success of your event.

Every month, “Planning Ahead” highlights a different organization to promote their mission. It also features insights on ways you can get involved, maximizing giving opportunities, tips for the event planner and sponsor, corporate giving strategies— all the information you need today to make informed decisions about tomorrow’s business and philanthropy opportunities.

“Planning Ahead” is published monthly in the Westchester County Business Journal and can be can be viewed at all times right here.

Message from Jim Steets

Over the past few years Entergy has been proud to bring the Planning Ahead guide to you, the non profits and the many supporters of the non profits. We hope you have enjoyed reading it and have been able to put to practical use some of the advice published in this column, helping your organization achieve success. 

As 2012 approaches, I wanted to take this opportunity to extend to the Planning Ahead readership, a great holiday season and happy New Year from the 1,300 Entergy employees in White Plains and at Indian Point. 

— Jim Steets, Vice President,
Communications, Entergy

Spotlight Organization 1:
NEW ROCHELLE HUMANE SOCIETY

Nothing drives us more than the quest to find loving homes for the animals that live in our shelter. If you are looking for a furry family member, come to the New Rochelle Humane Society. Our knowledgeable adoption counselors take pride in helping you find the perfect match for your family.

Founded in 1911, The New Rochelle Humane Society is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to promoting the human/animal bond through the compassionate care and treatment of animals throughout the communities we serve in Westchester County and beyond. Our goal is to create a living environment that is not just a shelter, but a transitional home for stray, lost, abandoned, injured, and abused animals, until they can ultimately be placed in loving permanent homes.

Through promotion of successful pet adoption, animal population control, and public education of animal welfare issues, we advance our belief that pet ownership is a lifetime commitment.

The shelter is available 365 days a year to rescue stray, abandoned and/or injured dogs and cats. We provide animal control services to 17 Westchester communities including Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Harrison, Hartsdale, Hastings, Irvington, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle,   Pelham Manor, the City of Rye, Rye Brook, Scarsdale and Tarrytown.  We rescue over 500 dogs and 900 cats each year.

New Rochelle Humane Society offers a variety of activities which promote responsible adoption of cats and dogs, educate the public about animal welfare, and help pet owners.  Monthly workshops and training sessions are offered.

Having your pet microchipped is a great and inexpensive way to ensure that he or she has permanent identification. Microchipping is included with the cost of every adoption, but is also available to the general public on a drop-in basis. The microchip fee includes implant and registration.

How Can You Help?

• Make a contribution to help us with basic funding needs to keep our shelter running
• Open your home and heart to a shelter animal in need of tender loving care by joining our Foster Care Program.
• Assist with a variety of much needed jobs at the shelter by becoming a volunteer.
• Donate blankets, towels, canned foods, pet toys, etc.

For more information on adoption, volunteer opportunities or any of our other programs and services, please contact us at (914) 632-2925, email us at PetAdopt@verizon.net or visit  www.newrochellehumanesociety.org or stop by the shelter at 70 Portman Road in New Rochelle.

Why Give Quote: 

As an ardent animal lover and an active volunteer at the New Rochelle Humane Society, I am passionate about animal rescue and pet adoption. As a board member, I see the difference that monetary donations make in the lives of homeless animals.   Donations and bequests allow NRHS to perform amazing feats of rescue and rehabilitation of companion animals that have fallen on hard times.  Every time I see a shelter dog or cat placed in a forever home with a loving family, it strengthens my commitment to do as much as I can; the personal satisfaction is extraordinary.   I give in many ways because the animals need me and I give money because I am fortunate to be able to do so.

Lee Anne Veley
Board member, New Rochelle Humane Society
Director, Global ITS Sales
IBM Corporation

Message from Mark Rollins & The Rollins Agency

Starting a nonprofit organization from new can be challenging. Whether you are starting a nonprofit organization or joining one that's already in operation, you'll need to find creative ways to fund it to accomplish the work that supports its mission. How one goes about getting those funds will usually look into getting either a grant or a loan.  Follow me at www.nonprofitguard.com to learn 5 Tips on Financing a New NonProfit Organization

December 7, 2011
Pianist Elena Aksenova and cellist James Waldo
December 14, 2011
A Ceremony of Carols
December 15, 2011
Home for the Hlidays with jazz vocalist, Alma Micic and trio
December 18, 2011
A Festival of lessons and carols for Christmas
December 21, 2001
Organist Preston Smith, a Veteran of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC

Downtown Music at Grace
Benefiting: Downtown Music
Take a break from the office or shopping and let yourself be inspired by a half-hour of beautiful music presented by outstanding performing artists.  Downtown Music at Grace was founded in 1988 by Timothy Lewis, Director of Music and Organist of Grace Church in the heart of White Plains. Downtown Music, a nonprofit performing arts organization, delights audiences with its beautiful setting and professional weekday and weekend performances consisting of a wide spectrum of musical genres from classical to ethnic music. The mission of Downtown Music is to provide an oasis of art and culture in the heart of White Plains.
Time: 12:10 p.m.
Location: Grace Church, White Plains
Ticket Price: Free
Contact:  Call 248-1112 or visit: www.dtmusic.org

Dec. 7, 2011

Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester's Annual "Tree of Life" Reception
Benefiting: Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester
The community is invited to be part of the annual Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester “Tree of Life.” Individuals may purchase stars to be placed on HPCW’s “Tree of Life.”
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
Location: Hilton Rye Town, Rye Brook
Contact:  Holly K. Benedict at 682-1484, ext. 122 or visit: www.hospiceofwestchester.com

The Good Scout Award Dinner
Benefiting: Westchester-Putnam Council, Boy Scouts of America
Proceeds from this dinner will help support the Scoutreach program for “at risk” youth of Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Port Chester, White Plains and Yonkers.
Honoring: Steve Acunto, President, CINN Group, Inc. and Mark E. Brossman, Partner, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
Dinner Co-Chairs:  Hon. Richard M. Greco, Jr., Managing Partner, Filangieri Capital Partners; Ronald E. Richman, Partner, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP; Eliot M. Schuman, Partner, Schuman Sall & Beist; David J. Walsh, President & CEO, Amalgamated Life Insurance
Time: 6 p.m. reception and 7 to 9 p.m. dinner
Location: Larchmont Shore Club, Larchmont
Ticket Price: $300 per person; sponsorship and journal opportunities available
Contact:  Laura Kaye at 773-1135, ext. 240 or email lkaye@wpcbsa.org or visit:  www.wpcbsa.org

Dec. 9, 2011

18th Annual Lubin Alumni Achievement Award Lunch
Benefiting: Scholarship for Students of the Lubin School of Business at Pace University
The Lubin Alumni Achievement Award recognizes an alumna/us for outstanding professional leadership achievements and demonstrated contributions in the areas of community service and social responsibility. The proceeds from the luncheon are used to provide important scholarship support to Lubin students and to support special projects selected by the Dean to enhance Lubin's competitive standing with other leading business schools.
Honoring: James B. Duffy, BBA '75, Financial Executive
Time: 11:30 a.m.  
Location: Gotham Hall, Midtown, New York City
Ticket Price: $500 per peson; sponsorship and journal opportunities available
Contact:  Hospitality Resource Group at 761-7111 or visit: www.pace.edu/lubin

Dec. 14, 2011

Real Estate & Construction 'Good Scout' Reception
Benefiting: Westchester-Putnam Council, Boy Scouts of America
Annual awards dinner and networking event for leaders of real estate, construction and associated industries. An enjoyable and inspirational evening to benefit more than 10,000 scouts.
Event Chairs: George Pacchiana, Chairman of the Board, Thalle Industries; Raymond Quartararo, International Director, Jones Lang LaSelle; H. Lewis Rapaport, Chairman and CEO, Component Assembly Systems; Paul Ryan, Assistance Business Manager, Local Union #3 IBEW, President, Central Labor Body AFL-CIO
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Westchester Marriott Hotel, Tarrytown
Ticket Price: $250 per person; sponsorship and journal opportunities available
Contact:  Bill Kelly at 449-2611 or visit: www.wpcbsa.org

February 3, 2012

National Wear Red Day
Benefiting: The American Heart Association
One day a year, what you wear is a matter of life and death! Everyone can support the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red. It's a simple, powerful way to raise awareness and help the American Heart Association support ongoing research and education about women and heart disease.  On February 12th, encourage your employees to wear red and donate $5 to the American Heart Association. 
Contact:  Potoula Gjidija at Potoula.Gjidija@heart.org or call 640-3262 or visit: www.goredforwomen.org

February 10, 2012

Take Heart Against Hunger Valentine’s Day Wine-Tasting Dinner
Benefiting: The Food Bank for Westchester
Celebrate Valentine's Day with a special evening of delectable food paired with fine wines. This wonderful event features the superb culinary talents of Alison Awerbuch, Partner and Executive VP of Abigail Kirsch Catering Relationships. She creates a unique five-course meal that is matched with five different wine selections to titillate your palate and arouse your senses.  Raffle and live auction.
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Tappan Hill Mansion, Tarrytown
Contact:  Katy Coppinger at 932-1100 or visit: www.foodbankforwestchester.org

A Year In Review…
2011 Spotlight Organizations

December
New Rochelle Humane Society
www.newrochellehumanesociety.org or call 682-2925 for more information

November                                     
Clay Art Center
www.clayartcenter.org or call 937-2047 for more information
Clay Art Center (CAC) is the largest and most active ceramic facility in Westchester dedicated to the advancement of the ceramic arts. CAC’s mission is to offer a stimulating space for studio practice, exhibition and educational opportunities to better serve the community.

The Child Abuse Prevention Center www.preventchildabuse.net or call 997-2642 for more information
The Child Abuse Prevention Center’s (CAPC) mission is to reduce child abuse and neglect in Westchester County. Established in 1982, CAPC utilizes a “neighbor helping neighbor” approach featuring community volunteers, graduate-level social work interns and professional staff. 

October
Hope’s Door
www.HopesDoorNY.org or call 747-0828 for more information
Hope's Door, formerly The Northern Westchester Shelter, is a private non-profit organization, founded in 1980 to provide a safe haven and caring services to survivors of domestic violence. Programs are free, confidential and offered in English and Spanish.  While the name has changed, the mission remains the same: Hope's Door seeks to end domestic violence and to empower victims to achieve safety, independence and healing from the trauma of abuse.

September
Hudson River HealthCare
www.hrhcare.org or call 734-8736 for more information
Hudson River HealthCare (HRHC), a nationally recognized network of 16 community health centers, operating in eight counties, serving 65,000 people from diverse populations that include the general community, farmworkers, the homeless, people living in public housing and people living with HIV/AIDS. 

August
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
www.jdrf.org or call 686-7700 for more information
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable funder of and advocate for type 1 diabetes research. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Family-to-Family
www.family-to-family.org or call 478-0756 for more information
Family-to-Family is a hunger relief organization that matches donors with a specific family living in profound poverty.  The mission creates connections between families with “more” and families with “less” and has a host of other donation programs that include programs for kids.

July
Andrus Children’s Center
www.andruschildren.org or call 965-3700 for more information
Since 1928 Andrus has nurtured hope in children. Today, through the broad range of programs offered, it serves 2,500 children and their families throughout Westchester, creating a better and brighter future for them. With its growth in recent years, Andrus has become a premier organization for preventative and restorative services.

Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester www.bgcnw.com or call 666-8069 for more information
Established in 1939, the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and enabling young people, especially those who need it most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Located in Mt. Kisco, the Club serves 2,000 youths, boys and girls, ages 6 months to 18 years, from more than 60 Northern Westchester communities.

June
ArtsWestchester
www.artswestchester.org or call 428-4220 for more information
Since its founding in 1965 as the Council for the Arts in Westchester, ArtsWestchester has been an integral part of the community; growing, developing and expanding the arts in the county for the education and enjoyment of all residents. Through a partnership with Westchester County Government, ArtsWestchester provides more than $1 million in grants annually to Westchester arts organizations and artists.

May
Alzheimer’s Association
www.alz.org/hudsonvalley or call 1-800-272-3900 for more information
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research.  The Alzheimer’s Association works on a global, national and local level to enhance care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

April
Kids X-Press
www.kidsxpress.net or call 261-0815 for more information
Founded in 2001, Kids X-Press Inc. is a nonprofit organization devoted to giving children the opportunity to express themselves and to see their names in print. What began as an elementary-school newspaper has been transformed into an influential children’s literary magazine and a quarterly publication by kids, for kids.

March
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
www.guidingeyes.org or call 800-942-0149 for more information
For over 55 years, Guiding Eyes has dedicated itself to giving people independence, safety and empowerment. When blind or visually impaired people need a guide dog or when a family with an autistic child needs an autism service dog's security and companionship, Guiding Eyes for the Blind is usually the first organization they come to. 

February
Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson
www.girlscoutshh.org or call 747-3080 for more information
Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. (GSHH) is the premier leadership organization for girls in the lower Hudson River Valley. With a jurisdiction covering seven counties – Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester – the Pleasantville-headquartered Girl Scout council serves nearly 32,000 girls and over 15,000 adult members.

Bridges to Community
www.bridgestocommunity.org or call 923-2200 for more information
Bridges to Community (Bridges) is a Westchester based nonprofit organization that takes over 800 volunteers a year to rural communities in Nicaragua to work on development projects with local community leadership. These service trips are focused on creating a greater global community- where basic needs, such as shelter, nutrition, education, healthcare and employment are treated as fundamental human rights.

January
Westchester Medical Foundation and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Foundation at the Westchester Medical Center
www.westchestermedicalcenter.com or call 493-2575 for more information
Westchester Medical Center and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is the premier resource for advanced medical care in Westchester County and the surrounding Hudson Valley region for the nearly 3 million people who live and work in a 5,000 square mile area and serves as the resource for more than 30 community hospitals and healthcare institutions.