Kudos…

We’re not ones to toot our own horns but we must take a moment to single out some recent WAG accomplishments that go beyond the pages of the book.

Billy Losapio, the mag’s adviser, co-chaired Knollwood Country Club’s inaugural benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project, which raised $106,000 to help support those who have given so much of themselves to our nation. The event was held appropriately enough on the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance at the Elmsford-based country club. Thanks, too, to Wagger Evan Fallor for bringing us the story in the Watch section of our October “Compassion” issue.

Our resident bookworm Ronni Diamondstein was instrumental in organizing the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, which raised about $75,000 for various causes. Here’s her report:

“The third annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival was the place to be last Saturday with 85 authors and illustrators and more than 6,000 people in attendance. It was a jam-packed, yet warm and intimate celebration of all things literary. With book sales of $74,600 and 7,000 books sold, the volunteer nonprofit, dedicated to promoting literacy and community, was able to donate, along with Best Book Fairs, more than $1,000 in new signed books to their literacy partner, JCY-WCP. It runs many wonderful programs throughout Westchester County, including Reach Out and Read, Summer Reading Buddies and SMART (Students and Mature Adults Reading Together) that serve thousands of children. The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival will also be making a financial donation to JCY-WCP.

“ ‘The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is a grassroots, all-volunteer effort, with community members working together so that children and teens can be inspired by their favorite authors,” said Dawn Greenberg, executive director and founder of the Festival. “It’s about giving kids and families a chance to meet and interact with the creators of their favorite characters – to appreciate that there is a real person behind the art and the words on the page.’

“The festival has grown from 65 to 85 renowned authors and illustrators. Along with many activities, including author readings, the Great Chappaqua Bake Sale was onsite and raised almost $23,000 for Share Our Strength – No Child Hungry.”

For more information, visit http://ccbfestival.org and for more on Chelsea Clinton’s new children’s book, look for Ronni’s story in WAG’s November “A Passion for Work” issue.

Last but never least, our managing editor Bob Rozycki has been a lucky charm for WAG and the SPCA’s Pet of the Month. Every one of the pooches Bob has photographed for this feature has been adopted. We hope the same for Macy, the irresistible Cocker Spaniel seen here and featured in November WAG.

Bob, take a bow wow. – Georgette Gouveia

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