Children’s Enrichment Committee

• Volunteer Spotlight – December 2023December 8, 2023
  The Children’s Enrichment Committee is thrilled to have its very own Santa’s helper! Ruth Dean, a dedicated CEC volunteer, has organizes the holiday gift giving program each year which brings joy to over 100 children who are in the Orange County foster care system. Ruth receives wish lists from the Department of Social Services, coordinates shoppers, and arranges delivery of the gifts to caseworkers. This year there were over 30 shoppers which included CEC members, DRC staff members and students from the Pine Bush High School Interact Club. Thank you Ruth for all your hard work to help make the … Read more
• Volunteer Spotlight – Holidays 2023October 20, 2023
  Several years ago, our valued member, Judy Racino, introduced CEC to her knitting and crocheting group, “The Yarntastics”, of Newburgh, NY.  Since then, the knitting needles and crochet hooks have been busy creating hundreds of hats, scarves and blankets for the children who are served by CEC.  Judy has been a tireless liaison between the two groups, coordinating and collecting these beautiful items that will warm countless children.  In addition, she has collected gift cards to be used for the children during the holidays.  All this is done while she herself knits items to donate as well. CEC sends a … Read more
• The Children’s Enrichment Committee Doesn’t Take The Summer OffSeptember 13, 2023
   We all love the long days and dreamy nights of summer and this summer was no exception. But the needs of children don’t take the summer off, and the Children’s Enrichment Committee was there to help. We paid for art therapy (not covered by insurance) for one child and made sure an active six-year-old would be kept busy at the local town’s recreation program for six weeks. Other children got new clothes for school and a backpack filled with school supplies. We were happy to give a family a baby gate to keep a child safe. For children in need of … Read more
• Fun and FundsJuly 6, 2023
  For over a hundred years, the Children’s Enrichment Committee has been giving a helping hand to the children of Orange County. To provide that help, we look for ways to raise funds. We appreciate all the different people and organizations who have shared our mission with their generosity. But sometimes, we admit, it’s nice when there’s some fun attached. For example, there was the fundraising theater party provided by the Muddy Waters Players at the Playhouse at Museum Village. CEC members joined other theatergoers for a performance of Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced. There was twist after delightful twist, proving (in case … Read more
• We Live to GiveApril 30, 2023
  The Children’s Enrichment Committee loves to give clothes and furniture to children in need. We’ve been in the habit for well over 100 years. Our donors are a wonderful and varied group. We are especially appreciative of the multi-year generosity of Stewart Shops. Make sure to get one of their wonderful ice cream cones on the next glorious spring day.  This year we’ve given school clothes to eight children (remember how excited you were with a new school outfit). To make the gift even more special, we gave each one a hand knit winter cap and a beautiful quilt.  Clothes … Read more
• A Word From CEC President Liz HrabowskyNovember 29, 2022
  For over 100 years, the all-volunteer Children’s Enrichment Committee has given to children with financial needs in Orange County, with our primary focus on those in foster care.  This year, in addition to the six Emily Akers Scholarships awarded to graduating high school seniors for use in colleges and trade schools, we gave grants to three current students to help them purchase supplies and books. We gave requested holiday presents to 110 foster children and included with each a gift card, a homemade blanket and hat. One child enjoyed 2 weeks in summer camp. Another got needed therapy utensils and … Read more

Read more about our 2021 and beyond activity here on our blog