Kids & Family

Larchmont Friends of the Family Celebrates 15th Anniversary

By Jennifer Conley.

Larchmont Friends of the Family brought 175 community members together November 7 to celebrate its 15th anniversary in style. The "Fashion Among Friends" event, hosted at Quaker Ridge Golf Club, was a luncheon, boutique and fashion show featuring styles from the many clothing stores that are part of the Larchmont community.

The benefit raised funds during a lively afternoon. It also raised awareness about the work that Larchmont Friends of the Family has been doing quietly for 15 years. Friends of the Family is a volunteer organization which helps local families in times of crisis, particularly when faced with a significant illness or premature death. The group was started in 1997 by community members who had experienced their own severe illnesses while raising children and wanted to make sure there was a mechanism in place to help neighbors in similar circumstances going forward. To this day, their guiding motto is "Neighbors Helping Neighbors," and they've done just that in countless ways.

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In addition to thousands of home-cooked meals delivered through the years, the Friends have paid for or provided housecleaning and laundry services, groceries, help with paperwork, transportation to medical appointments, grief counseling, home health aides, daycare, afterschool activities and more.

The friends have also provided short-term financial assistance with rent and other mounting expenses. All help is confidential and customized to the needs of the individual family. The goal is to reduce some of the daily stresses, allowing the family to focus on healing.

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In her welcoming remarks, Friends President Jan Feinman thanked the volunteers who do the work of the organization, citing their compassion, creativity and discretion in helping families. She also thanked "our community of generous donors who make sure that we never have to say no to a family in need." Finally, she recognized the vision and dedication of the people who started Larchmont Friends of the Family and still serve on the board: Kathy Staudt, Mary Stein, Miriam Curnin, Dr. Mark Levy, Dr. Cynthia Yalowitz, Susan Morehouse and John McGarr.

The fashion show, choreographed and emceed by Andy Hilfiger, featured cocktail dresses, office wear, workout clothes, fur vests, leather-trimmed pants, moto jackets and cashmere wraps, along with handbags, scarves, shoes and jewelry accents.

Jeinman shared her excitement about the terrific turnout and the positive energy in the room.

"It was such a nice gathering of caring, involved women from our community," she said, "and we are so glad we had the opportunity to make more of them aware of what we do. With everyone pitching in, we are confident that we will continue to be 'neighbors helping neighbors' for the next 15 years."

For more information about Larchmont Friends of the Family, visit their new Web site: larchmonfriendsofthefamily.org.


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