Community Cares will match up to $10,000 to pay for the family-style meals to those in Putnam County most affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It is working with the United Way of Westchester and Putnam and the Putnam County Business Council to provide restaurant-prepared meals to Putnam County residents who are senior citizens, disabled, or who are immune-compromised as well as first responders and healthcare workers. The efforts will support the local economy by using Putnam County food establishments, such as restaurants, delis, and grocery stores.

“It is during times of crisis that Putnam County has a history of coming together and providing for one another,” said Amy Sayegh, founder of Community Cares. “This project allows us to protect those populations who are vulnerable to the effects of the Coronavirus while also providing a way to show our appreciation to those working on the front lines and put money back into our local economy.”

The Putnam County Business Council has engaged the participation of food establishments from each community in the county. United Way of Westchester and Putnam will be identifying eligible recipients through its 211 Helpline and then coordinating the prepared meals with the recipients and the volunteer delivery drivers.

“Communities rely on their local businesses, especially restaurants, to support their causes throughout the year,” said Jennifer Maher, chairwoman of the Putnam County Business Council. “With all the restrictions this public health emergency has put on all of us, this is a great way to give back to those restaurants that have supported our communities for so long and help our residents. We have to keep any industry going that we can while not jeopardizing the public’s health.”

In addition to working with the restaurants, these organizations are also recruiting volunteers to help deliver the meals.

“By working together we can have a greater impact on the Putnam County residents who need it, but we need the help of the public too,” said United Way of Westchester and Putnam CEO Tom Gabriel. “We are also looking for volunteers to deliver meals. You will not be in contact with the recipients, so we remain in line with the public health guidelines.” The deliveries will be dropped outside of the recipient’s door.

To be eligible for the meals, the recipient must be one of the following: a senior citizen, disabled, actively seeking treatment for chronic or terminal disease, a first responder–law enforcement, firefighter, EMS worker; or a healthcare worker. Verification will be required to ensure the standards of the program. There are no income restrictions for this program. The meals are for the household of the eligible recipient.

Those interested in receiving meals can call 211.

Donations can be done through the Community Cares website, www.communitycares.org, or on its Facebook page.

Restaurants in Putnam County, which are interested in providing family-style meals-to-go for a set price, or individuals who want to be a volunteer delivery driver should email covid19@communitycares.org.

Community Cares Appoints New Executive Director

Research gives hope for tomorrow, Community Cares gives help for today!

Mahopac, NY – The Board of Directors of Community Cares is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen McClure as the organization’s Executive Director.  Community Cares is a non-profit, 501(c)3 that that is dedicated to supporting families going through a major medical diagnosis that have school aged children.  It is a community wide project that uses local resources in Putnam, Westchester, and Dutchess counties to help those in need the most by providing family meals, fresh laundry and a clean home.

“We are exceptionally pleased that Karen has taken on this leadership role,” said Amy Sayegh, President and Founder of Community Cares.   Karen has worked in non-profit fundraising for over 20 years.  She brings with her strong system management and organization skills, and a caring and nurturing disposition.

Her dedication to Community Cares, along with her effective leadership skills, will enable her to plan more actively for the future, expand our services, and introduce new approaches to fundraising and volunteer services.

Karen has a vision of a unified Board of Directors, development staff and volunteer network working toward ensuring that Community Cares will be financially prepared to meet all the future needs of this wonderful organization.

Please visit CommunityCares.org to learn more!  Karen McClure can be reached at EMAIL or (845) 621-2273 if you would like to donate, volunteer or need assistance.

P.O. Box 37, Mahopac Falls, NY 10542

Volunteers from the Mahopac-based nonprofit Community Cares prepared and delivered 25 trays of holiday goodies to its clients on Monday, Dec. 18. The trays were prepared at Grace Lutheran Church in Yorktown Heights, NY.

“Thank you so much to everyone who baked, made bows and tags, purchased candies and trays and little gifts to include in our deliveries,” said Community Cares President Amy Sayegh.

The volunteers included: Karen D’Iorio, Lynne Carney, Patti Murray, Patty Hickey, Michele Lamoreaux Jones, Luci Crecco Gennusa, Nancy Cassidy Riolo, Aida Roa, Cheryl Kellogg, Georgette Muller, Sharon Slader Porcelli, Josephine Dante from Dante’s Trattoria and many more.

“A special thank you to survivor Danielle Fragala Harper and her mother for making it all so real and bringing it full circle,” said Sayegh.  “And thank you to Grace Lutheran for allowing us to take over the fellowship hall for our operations!”

The mission of Community Cares is to help families manage normal daily routines while a parent is dealing with cancer or another medical diagnosis. It provides families with free meals, laundry service, and house cleaning as well as a network of support to moms and dads faced with major medical illnesses while trying to raise children. Community Cares serves families in Putnam County, Northern Westchester and Southern Dutchess.

Community Cares is a registered 501(c)3 organization. For more information about Community Cares visit communitycares.org or call 845-621-CARE (2273).

MAHOPAC, NY – Help raise money for Community Cares this holiday season by shopping online through AmazonSmile.

AmazonSmile is just like Amazon. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.

By designating Putnam Community Cares, Inc. as your charity of choice, you shop and AmazonSmile Foundation will donate to our organization.

Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) at the same price.

“We all do more shopping during the holiday season,” said Community Cares President Amy Sayegh. “While you are buying the gifts you plan to give, you can now give back and help those in need.”

AmazonSmile is available year-round.

The mission of Community Cares is to help families manage normal daily routines while a parent is dealing with cancer or another medical diagnosis. It provides families with free meals, laundry service, and house cleaning as well as a network of support to moms and dads faced with major medical illnesses while trying to raise children. Community Cares serves families in Putnam County, Northern Westchester and Southern Dutchess.

Community Cares is a registered 501(c)3 organization. For more information about Community Cares visit communitycares.org or call 845-621-CARE (2273).

Community Cares teamed up with The Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce and collected almost $2,400 in funds which will be donated to a boots-on-the-ground organization that is assisting those who were affected in Putnam County, Fla., by Hurricane Irma.

“When I was going through my cancer treatments, Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and I could not help but think about those going through cancer treatments who are faced with the hardship of a devastating hurricane,” said Community Cares President Amy Sayegh. “When Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey Community Cares and local volunteers brought hot food and supplies to those in Sandy’s path. Now we have teamed up with The Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations and bring help to our friends in Florida who must deal with the aftermath of Irma.”

Also participating in the fundraising drive was Putnam County Government, Town of Carmel Recreation and Parks Dept, Mahopac Central School District, Professional Women of Putnam, Putnam Valley Business Network, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, Carmel-Kent Chamber of Commerce, The Salvation Army- Peekskill, NY and many other organizations.

Putnam County Legislator Neal Sullivan, who owns Sullivan Insurance in Mahopac, NY, also owns an insurance agency in Putnam County, Fla., presented the check down to the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce in Florida, which was going to directly distribute the funds to those in need.

In addition to the financial contributions, the chamber collected batteries, flashlights, diapers, wipes, rubber gloves, toiletries, school supplies, bottle water at various donation drop off locations, which were delivered down to Florida also.

The mission of Community Cares is to help families manage normal daily routines while a parent is dealing with cancer or another medical diagnosis. It provides families with free meals, laundry service, and house cleaning as well as a network of support to moms and dads faced with major medical illnesses while trying to raise children. Community Cares serves families in Putnam County, Northern Westchester and Southern Dutchess.

Community Cares is a registered 501(c)3 organization. For more information about Community Cares visit communitycares.org or call 845-621-CARE (2273).