United Way of Westchester and Putnam Bridges the Gap
Between Corporation and Community

It was the start of summer, the Mount Kisco Child Care Center was ready for a playground makeover, but was lacking the necessary volunteers. Elsewhere, from Target stores across the region, employees Chris Campbell, Max Landesbaum, Betty Marshall, Jim Colgan, and Bill Ystueta were ready to volunteer, but were lacking a playground to make over. Happily, United Way of Westchester and Putnam is involved with both parties and was able to bring them together.

The Mount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCCC) is a non-profit, non-sectarian child care organization that is a United Way partner in its Healthy Living Initiative. One wing of its 20,000 square foot facility houses a daycare program for 160 children between the ages of 3 months and 12 years. The other wing of the building is devoted to My Second Home, an alternative to assisted living or nursing home care that grants seniors affordable transportation, wellness activities, personal care, and excellent nutrition. Through this unique arrangement exists the JEWEL project, the first shared-site intergenerational program in Westchester County, which joins young children with older adults. Together, they share activities, meals, and stories – to the benefit of both generations. Another one of MKCCC’s efforts consistent with United Way’s Healthy Living Initiative is the Feed Me Fresh program. On-staff nutritionists and chefs prepare nutritious meals from organic foods grown locally and even onsite; the center has 1,000 square feet of gardens that the children and seniors tend to: planting, harvesting, preparing, and eating a number of healthy foods such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, garlic and green beans. United Way of Westchester and Putnam gladly supports the organization’s efforts to enrich the quality of life for both children and seniors by bringing them together, serving as a model for intergenerational programs across the country.

Nationally, the Target Corporation has been a supporter of United Way since 1962. Target stores run annual United Way campaigns to help improve the communities they serve. On a local level, United Way of Westchester and Putnam has been in contact with Target store managers and district leaders to raise funds and direct volunteers to area organizations. “[Volunteering] is an example of our commitment to the communities we serve,” stated district team leader Chris Campbell. “It’s more about what we do 365 days a year to make a difference, not only for the community, but also for the people on our team.”

The enthusiastic store managers and district leaders who volunteered at the Mount Kisco Child Care Center this past June exemplify Target’s dedication to community service. Adrienne Lebo, store manager of Target in Stamford, CT, explained that volunteering allows managers to “tell stories to employees, often teams of 300 or more people, and inspire volunteer work. It also spreads the idea of Target’s United Way campaign.”

Target volunteers briefly toured the facility and enjoyed a healthy lunch with the seniors and children, providing time to interact with the people they would be benefiting. Shortly after, the volunteers began their work outside. They removed dirty sand from the four sandboxes that dot the outside of the facility, and with shovels and large wheelbarrows, carted in fresh sand. The Target volunteers also swept the playgrounds and cleared the paths of dirt and debris. As the task neared its end, they turned their attention to the decidedly unhappy looking garden in the center of the playground. It was to be weeded, given a new layer of dirt, and brightened with several dozen red and white Impatiens, they agreed. After a short trip to a local florist, and a few extra hours of work, the entire playground looked sparkling clean and revitalized.

“We walk away feeling good,” said Betty Marshall, store manager of the Mt. Kisco Target. Indeed, there was reason for the volunteers to feel good: as they finished planting the flowers, it was time for recess, and a score of children rushed outside with bright eyes and excited laughter. “Whether it’s a big event like the AIDs Walk or a smaller event like this, volunteers all make a difference and they all have an impact,” Chris Campbell pointed out.  As Max Landesbaum, store team leader of White Plains chortled: “It’s nice when we’re finished to see the look on people’s faces.”       

This is one of the many ways that United Way works with its partners to improve the education, income and health of our residents – and, in this case, to make a difference in the health and wellbeing of seniors and children. See more photos