Organizations and groups are encouraged to sponsor their own local supply collection drives throughout the month of March. Working closely with the French Speaking Baptist Church, Haitians for Haitians of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and AFYA, White Plains Cares has contacts that will facilitate connecting the supplies collected with those in need.

"Supplies for Haiti" posters and collection boxes can be obtained by contacting Byron Smalls at 422-1378 ext. 2118 or by e-mail at bsmalls@whiteplainsny.gov. When you are ready to have your items brought for centralized sorting and distribution, contact Byron Smalls who will provide you with details to connect you with the sorting and distribution location, dates, and times. Mr. Smalls can also help if you need assistance with transporting items.

Below is a list of specific supplies requested.

Donations Requested by the French Speaking Baptist Church: Over-the-counter medication  (aspirin, ibuprofen, cough syrup, etc.), detergent, soap, tooth brushes and tooth paste, clothes (lightweight only), non-perishable food items.

Donations requested by Haitians for Haitians/St. John the Evangelist Church: Dried fish (cod fish - bacalao, herring - arenque); Soups (Ramen noodles, easy open cans); Dried rice/pasta/bulgar wheat (polenta), course corn meal, millet, oatmeal; Canned or dried beans; Evaporated milk and powdered milk; Tomato paste; Seasonings and spices (salt, chicken bouillon, Adobo, Sazon, etc.); Cooking oil, shortening; Canned meat ( Spam, vienna sausages, sardines, cooked ham); Bottled water - all sizes; Infant formula/cereal; Nutritional drinks (Pediasure, Ensure, Sport Shake, Carnation Good Start); tents, tarps, sleeping bags, cots; New sheets, pillows blankets, comforters (new and gently used or dry cleaned); Clothing, shoes, flip flops for all ages; Undergarments and socks (new only);Durable medical equipment (crutches, slings, etc.); First Aid items (gauze, rubbing alcohol, etc.); Personal hygiene items (soap; toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, lotion, etc.); Feminine hygiene products; Flashlights or lanterns with batteries or lanterns that take lighter fluid/gas; Mini charcoal BBQ grills, lighter fluid and charcoal.

 Donations requested by the AFYA Foundation: Tents, sleeping bags, umbrellas, raincoats, crutches, utility gloves, electrolyte tablets, personal care items, blankets, tarps, topical antiseptic, school supplies, bandages, sheets (new only), heavy-duty rubber boots, insect repellant, wheelchairs, water purification tablets, Ensure/liquid food, gauze, sleeping bags, hand sanitizer, clothing.

 Contact Linda Puoplo at 422-1378 ext. 2106 or lpuoplo@whiteplainsny.gov to coordinate your organization's efforts.

The White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations will sponsor a Forum on The State of Sustainability in White Plains at its January meeting.  The keynote speaker will be Bice Wilson, AIA on "Evolving Towards a Sustainable White Plains: Vision, Culture and Practice."

Sustainability, which has environmental, social and economic contexts, can be defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future.

In its first meeting of the new year, the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations (WPCNA) will feature several local leaders exploring this critical city issue. In addition to Bice Wilson, a prominent architect and urban planner, the forum will include architect and White Plains Common Council Member Milagros Lecuona speaking on "City Planning;" Dennis J. Power, Director of Program Development for the Westchester County Dept. of Environmental Facilities and a Common Council member, on "Business, Local Government and the Schools;" White Plains Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christopher Clouet, on "Education: Infrastructure and Instruction;" and Pam Millian, Distribution Manager for the T uv Ha’Aretz CSA committee of the five synagogues of White Plains, on "Community Sponsored Agriculture."  The closing speakers will be Patti and Doug Wood of Grassroots Environmental Education on "How Green is My Town --White Plains." For more information, visit http://sustainability.wpcna.com .

The meeting is at Education House at 5 Homeside Lane in White Plains, NY at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Admission is free and audience participation is encouraged. To learn more about the WPCNA, please visit: http://www.wpcna.org/.

Holiday Shopping

This Saturday, come by the Thomas H. Slater Center to have fun and prepare all of your holiday gifts. Vendors selling jewelry, handbags, children's toys, ceramics, dolls, chocolates, nuts, clothing, makeup, and some unique handmade items will be present offering plenty of bargains. Bring the kids along, as there will be activities for them to enjoy and Santa Claus will be making a visit! The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Thomas H. Slater Center is located on 2 Fisher Court (corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Quarropas Street). There is no entrance fee. For more information, please contact Marie Laguerre-Lewis, Barbara Mair, or Julie Carran at the Martin Luther King Institute at 949-6555. 

Chanukah Concert

On Sunday, celebrate the Festival of Lights by attending a special Chanukah concert outside of the White Plains Public Library. The show is open to Tarrytown and teen and adult musicians. The concert will run from 1 to 4:30 p.m. The White Plains Library is located on 100 Martine Avenue.