Still time to sign up for Community Week

This year’s Community Week initiative will be held Sept. 23-29. Its aim is to help Westchester-based youth organizations, including Child Care Centers and the Child Care Council of Westchester, obtain much-needed support through community volunteerism and donations.

“Community Week provides such an easy way for a company to make a difference, even if it’s as simple as encouraging employees to donate a few hours of time,” said Ernest McFadden of PepsiCo.

During Community Week, teams of volunteers will complete diverse projects, including child-care facility improvements, environmental cleanups and neighborhood beautification.

“We learned about Community Week through the Westchester Business Journal and we’re thrilled to help the Harrison Children’s Center create a Web site that will help that organization for years to come,” said Tracey Di Brino, general manager of Synergy Westchester.

Community Week is presented by PepsiCo Inc. and sponsored by Applebee’s, MBIA, Burke Heat, draddy infusion and the Westchester County Business Journal, in cooperation with the Child Care Council of Westchester and Results for Change.

Community Week announcements were sent to area companies, many that have a track record of involving employees in community-service activities.

Andy Steigmeier, assistant general manager of Burke Heat was intrigued by the idea and wanted to support local child-care organizations.

Zane Tankel, CEO of Apple-Metro Inc., New York area franchisee of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants, said: “Community Week affords us a wonderful opportunity to support our local communities. We encourage our employees to volunteer and give back to their neighborhoods. We are also establishing a Community Week Dining to Donate effort through which participating Westchester Applebee’s restaurants will donate 10 percent of guest checks for a week during this exciting program.”

Bill Straubinger, organizer of Community Week said it’s not too late for companies to get involved. “Just visit the Web site and pick a project that appeals to you. You can volunteer individually or pull together a group of volunteers from your company. Your help will be most appreciated. If companies prefer to make a financial contribution, they can do that too.” Companies and individuals can sign-up at www.communityweek.org. Any questions about Community Week can be answered by Straubinger at info@communityweek.org.

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