All About the Children’s Enrichment Committee of Orange County
In 1911, noted philanthropist Ann Delano Hitch, aunt of future president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, donated $2,000 to the Newburgh (NY) Agency for Dependent Children. From this donation, the Children’s Enrichment Committee of Orange County was born. The Children’s Enrichment Committee is devoted to helping children, especially those in foster care, in Orange County, New York.
The CEC gives holiday presents to Orange County foster children, as well as helps pay for music and dance lessons, musical instrument rentals, summer camp, field trips, sports clubs fees, prom dresses, and class rings.
The CEC also sponsors the Emily Akers Scholarship Fund, which provides aid to Orange County students in colleges and technical schools of higher education.
There are no membership fees, and all are welcome to join us!
Image: Anna Delano Hitch, first woman member of The Lion’s Club, with her nephew Franklin Delano Roosevelt. “It is no wonder people in every walk of life in Newburgh loved her.”
Our Mission
“The CEC is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of foster children and young people in need by supporting educational, cultural, and social opportunities that contribute to their growth and brighten their lives.”
2024 Upcoming Meetings and Events
We sincerely welcome visitors and new members! Should anyone have questions about our organization, please feel free to contact us.
2024 meeting dates have been set and will be held at Thrall Library:
- Wednesday, November 13 at 2:00pm (note day change due to the holiday)
- December gift drop off: TBA
The scholarship program of CEC is in full swing. Checks for $1000 each are now being mailed to 6 high school graduates who are beginning a school of higher education this fall. Applications are now being taken for 4 grants of $500 each for deserving foster youth who have already been in higher learning this past year.
Thank you to all the workers and to those who stopped by to support the CEC yard sale recently. Remember that the proceeds of every sale, large or small, go to help the needs of foster children and children in need.
Read About our Recent Activity
- Thank you!
CEC thanks the Slate Hill Quilting Group for donating these handmade quilts to CEC to give to foster children.
- September 2024 News Update:
CEC is pleased to report that we have served more children this past summer than ever and we thank our tireless volunteers and donors for making this possible. The autumn months will begin even a busier season! Mark your calendars noting that the monthly meetings of CEC will resume 2PM, September 9 at Thrall Library in Middletown and watch for our upcoming fundraisers and holiday gift program.
In addition, CEC is excited to have started collaboration for requests with CASA and NAFI. Working with these agencies, along with continuing collaboration with DSS, expands our services to more children who are in need. We hope that our assistance will make their lives a bit brighter.
- Fall 2024 Volunteer Spotlight
As our year of volunteer spotlights draws to a close, we realize that the spotlight has not even begun to shine on everyone who has helped CEC. Our thanks go to every individual, organization and business who has given time, funds and outreach opportunities to help our organization continue its mission.
As the writer of these spotlights, I believe that I have saved one of the most outstanding volunteers for last……perhaps I should call her the Volunteer of the Year. A big shout-out goes to Liz Hrabowsky, who, as president, has dedicated countless hours to promoting and serving CEC. She has initiated fundraisers and worked ceaselessly on fulfilling requests from DSS, NAFI and CASA in addition to managing meetings and the “business end” of CEC.
Always with a smile, Liz has enthusiasm that is contagious and we applaud all she, and her board of directors, have been doing for the benefit of children.
- Volunteer Spotlight – August 2024
Need a helping hand? When CEC puts out a request for someone to help with a project, Eileen Hogan is one to quickly volunteer. She took on the responsibility of chairperson for our fundraiser at the Museum Village Playhouse this year, always contributes to the holiday gift program and don’t even talk about the work she puts in at the fundraising yard sales!! There, Eileen lugs, packs, sorts, organizes and sells all to the benefit of CEC’s treasury.
With vibrant volunteers such as Eileen, CEC is able to successfully continue its mission to help children of Orange County.
- Summer Updates
Although CEC does not meet during the summer, we continue to be active and available for requests of aid. This summer is no exception. In the past two months, 15 Orange County children have received assistance through requests from DSS (Dept of Social Services), CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and NAFI (North American Family Institute). Handmade quilts, school clothes and supplies, therapeutic horse camp tuition, musical theater workshop tuition, a crib and accessories, baby gates, and assistance to a high school senior for her graduation are but a few requests that were fulfilled this summer.
Six graduating seniors were selected from Orange County schools for scholarships in the amount of $1000 each for continuing education and the funds will be distributed in August.
CEC thanks its donors and volunteers who make all this possible.
Read more about our 2021 and beyond activity here on our blog
The CEC Wishes To Thank The Following Organizations For Their Support:
- Boy Scouts Of America, NY Troop 62, Goshen NY
- First Congregational Church, Middletown NY
- First Federal Savings, Middletown NY
- First Presbyterian Church, Goshen NY
- J’s Place, Middletown NY
- Kiwanis Club of Middletown NY
- Kwik Stop Foods, Inc. Goshen, NY
- Mid-City Transit of Middletown Muddy Waters Players NY
- Orange & Rockland
- Slate Hill (NY) Quilters
- Stewart’s Shops
- United Presbyterian Church, Middletown NY
- Warwick Lions Club, Warwick NY
- Yarntastics (Newburgh , NY)
The Children’s Enrichment Committee is a program of DRC (Dispute Resolution Center)
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