ANIMAL WELFARE

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Westchester

Founded in 1883, SPCA Westchester is an independent, no-kill animal welfare organization dedicated to saving homeless, abused, and abandoned animals and to protecting animals, through education and enforcement of humane laws against cruelty and neglect. At its facility in Briarcliff Manor, the organization supports 4,000 orphaned animals and pets each year through its many life-saving rescue and community outreach programs.

Volunteers assist with dog walking, cat care, grooming, greeting visitors, or by taking part in the Golden Outreach Pet Therapy Program. Other opportunities exist for campus beautification, administrative work, or taking in a foster animal.

For more information, visit https://spcawestchester.org

Little Orphan Animals, Inc. in Peekskill

Little Orphan Animals is a cat rescue group serving Northern Westchester & Putnam since 1993. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats in our community. We operate an adoption center, which can house 20-25 cats, and a thrift shop that supports our rescue efforts.

Volunteer opportunities include:

* feeding and caring for cats at our adoption center;

* working at our thrift shop – cleaning, organizing and helping customers;

* assisting in fundraising activities, including tag sales, penny socials, and mailings.

Foster homes are also needed for kittens, adult, and special needs cats.

For more information, visit www.littleorphananimals.mysite.com; to volunteer, email us at littleorphans@yahoo.com or call Susan Pristash, Secretary, at 914-734-2989.

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

Croton-Cortland Food Pantry

The food pantry distributes food through a drive through system on the first and third Saturdays of each month between 9:00 and 11:00 AM in the parking lot behind Holy Name of Mary Church in the Upper Village of Croton.

Volunteers collect food from donors and drop off locations, pack food in advance of the Saturday distributions and distribute bags to clients on the Saturday drive-throughs.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Croton-Cortland Food Pantry may visit www.foodpantryincroton.org, find us on Facebook, or email crotonfoodpantry@gmail.com

Croton Caring, Croton on Hudson

Founded in 1981, Croton Caring’s mission is to enlist the resources of the community to help the frail, elderly, and homebound and to serve families in need of temporary assistance, enabling them to maintain their independence and dignity.

Croton Caring is committed to providing year-round volunteer opportunities for community members of all ages. We provide opportunities that are flexible and fit any volunteer’s schedule and availability. Youth and Adult opportunities include:

* serving and interacting with Croton seniors at monthly gatherings;

* assembly and packing of food boxes to be delivered to food insecure neighbors;

* participation in intergenerational and other community-focused events;

* and adopting students and families in connection with our August Backpack and School Supply Program and our December Adopt-a-Family Program.

Additional adult opportunities include Medical Transportation (which provides roundtrip transportation to/from medical appointments within a 15-mile radius of Croton to homebound neighbors), Grocery Shopping Assistance and the delivery of items to neighbors in need as part of our Food Basket and School Supplies Programs. 

We continue to think about ways to engage the community and are continually evolving our volunteer offerings.

For more information, visit www.crotoncaring.org; to inquire about volunteer service opportunities, email us at volunteer@crotoncaring.org 

Harry Chapin Memorial Run Against Hunger, Croton-on-Hudson

Founded in 1981, the Harry Chapin Run seeks to increase awareness and raise funds to fight hunger locally, across the United States, and around the world. Among the organizations we support are the Croton-Cortlandt Food Pantry, Croton Caring Committee, Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill, Hillside Food Outreach in Pleasantville, Feeding Westchester, WhyHunger (co-founded by Harry Chapin), Carolyn Belshe Orphanage in Mozambique, and Institut Montfort School for Deaf and Deaf-Blind Children in Haiti. For more information about our programs, visit www.runagainsthunger.com.

Volunteers help at our t-shirt pickup events before the race, and on race day, volunteers help in a variety of roles, including:

* helping to set up and take down tents, tables, and chairs;

* cheering on runners/walkers and pointing them in the right direction along the race courses;

* redirecting cars arriving at the high school to nearby parking lots; and

* many other tasks, as needed.

We also need videographers to record and edit footage of walkers and runners and to document other activities at our events to create a post-event recap video.

To volunteer, please email harrychapinvolunteers@gmail.com

Please include your name, age, and phone number. Thank you!

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS

The Croton Rotary

 The Rotary Club of Croton-on-Hudson is an association of local business and professional people engaged in service to others. We are a chapter of Rotary International whose philanthropic activities address the global goals of promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, fighting infant mortality, supporting education, and growing local economies.

 The Croton Rotary Club is a group of about twenty who live or work in the Croton area. Many of our activities are undertaken in partnership with local non-profits, which helps us extend the reach of our work.

 Anyone interested in learning more about the activities of Croton Rotary or interested in volunteering with us may contact the Club at RotaryofCroton@gmail.com, or visit our website: crotonrotary.com

The Croton Lions Club

The Lions Club is an international service organization with over 1.4 million members in 206 countries worldwide. Lions serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote international understanding through their activities.

The Croton Lions Club was formed in 1939 and has continuously served our community for over eighty years. Some of our activities include providing college scholarships to local high school students, maintaining a Medical Lending Program (providing wheelchairs, walkers, etc.), supporting the Croton Caring Committee, the Croton Food Pantry and BluePath Service Dogs for autistic children. We also help the annual Harry Chapin Memorial Run Against Hunger, as well as other community based projects as the need arises. Our primary fundraising effort is the yearly Croton Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale.

The Club meets monthly, and new members are cordially invited to join us. For more information please visit our Facebook page, email us at crotonlionsclub@gmail.com, or call us at 914-271-5200.

EDUCATION

Croton-Harmon School Parent Teacher Associations

Information about getting involved in the volunteer activities of Croton-Harmon Schools can be found on the School District’s web site at www.chufsd.org or by emailing individual PTAs:

* Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School at cetpta@gmail.com

* Pierre Van Cortland Middle School at pvcpta@gmail.com

* Croton-Harmon High School at president@crotontigers.org 

* Special Education Parent Teacher Association at chsepta@gmail.com

In addition, the Croton-Harmon Education Foundation is a private, independent charitable organization that supports the school community through its grantmaking. In the past year, the Foundation has funded over $50,000 in grants to help every student across the Croton-Harmon district. For more information, visit www.crotonfoundation.org or send an email to info@crotonfoundation.org

Croton Historical Society

Since its founding in 1972, the Croton Historical Society has been preserving the history of our beloved village and sharing it through exhibits, books, DVDs, and newsletters. The group has assisted authors, filmmakers, genealogists, students, and local residents in researching a wide variety of topics. Our growing archival collection includes yearbooks, newspapers, maps, photographs, and one of the largest collections of material on the construction of the New Croton Dam.

For information about becoming a member of the Society, including subscription to its blog or quarterly journal, please visit www.crotonhistoricalsociety.org

Visitors are welcome at the Society’s office and archive in the Croton Municipal Building on Tuesdays between 10 AM and 3:00 PM or by appointment at 914-271-4574.

FAITH ORGANIZATIONS

Holy Name of Mary Church, Croton-on-Hudson

Holy Name of Mary is a Roman Catholic community of believers, founded in 1897, dedicated to know Christ and become Christ, each one for the sake of all. As disciples, we are called to create an environment where we worship God and serve our neighbor.

Our volunteers assist in the office; do yard work and snow removal; and help set up church spaces for special events and Sunday School.

For more information visit www.holynameofmary.org or contact Debra Rago, Parish Administrator, at 914-271-4797 Ext 30.

FIRST RESPONDERS

Croton Emergency Medical Services, Inc.

Croton EMS was founded in 2008 to provide the best level of emergency pre-hospital medical care with the shortest possible response time to residents and visitors of our Service District (Village of Croton-on-Hudson and the Mt. Airy and Quaker Bridge Fire Protection Districts of the Town of Cortlandt) and to safely and quickly transport patients to the hospital via ambulance.

we are always looking for dedicated volunteers to join our organization. No prior experience is required. All you need is a desire to help make a positive impact in the community. We provide all training and equipment for the three roles in our organization:

* Emergency Medical Technician (“EMT”) – responsible for patient care, including the use of all medical equipment and supplies; can also be qualified as a Driver;

* Driver – responsible for the ambulance and its occupants though not for their medical care; assists the EMT; can also be qualified as an EMT;

* Attendant/Aider – assists the EMT and Driver.

Our volunteers also provide stand-by services at various community events, such as street festivals, graduation ceremonies, and sporting events and participate in community education activities by leading demonstrations for local private groups and at public events, such as Fire Fair and the Summerfest street festival.

For more information, visit www.crotonemsinc.org, message us on Facebook or call 914-862-1600

Croton Fire Department

Croton-on-Hudson’s Fire Department is an entirely volunteer organization that provides fire and rescue services to the Village, as well as the Mount Airy and Quaker Bridge Fire Protection Districts in the Town of Cortlandt. Every year, nearly 150 people, all of whom volunteer their time, respond to over 400 calls to the five fire companies that comprise the Department.

The Department also sponsors an Explorer Post, made up of young adults ages 14 to 17,  that provides support services such as gathering and maintaining equipment at fire scenes.

No prior firefighting experience is necessary to join the Department. Training and equipment are provided for free.

For more information, visit www.crotonfd.org or find the Department on Facebook.

GOVERNMENT

Village of Croton-on-Hudson

Croton-on-Hudson Village government offers numerous opportunities to make a difference. Croton is a full service local government, but the Village’s full-time professional staff is relatively small, relying on a small army of volunteers to help make Croton a community we can all take pride in.

Many of the initiatives and projects which make Croton a wonderful place to live were born in the citizen committees that advise Village Trustees and Departments on various areas of municipal concern. These boards and commissions allow residents to contribute ideas and help develop new proposals to improve our civic life. Nearly one hundred Croton citizens volunteer their time and expertise on fifteen Village boards and commissions, some of which play an official role in the decision making process of Village government. Here is the list:

Advisory Board on the Visual Environment

Arts & Humanities Advisory Council

Comprehensive Plan Committee

Conservation Advisory Council

Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Housing Task Force

Planning Board

Police Advisory Committee

Recreation Advisory Committee

Sustainability Committee

Trails Committee

Water Control Commission

Waterfront Advisory Committee

Zoning Board of Appeals

Details about the activities and responsibilities of these citizen panels can be found on the Village website. Appointments are made by Mayor Brian Pugh, so if you are interested in volunteering for any of those, send the Mayor an email at bpugh@crotononhudson-ny.gov.

NATURE/ENVIRONMENT

Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining

Since its founding in 1963, Teatown’s mission has been to inspire our community to lifelong environmental stewardship.

Teatown offers volunteer opportunities for teens ages 14+, adults, scouts, corporate groups, school groups, and more. We rely on 600+ volunteers each year to help maintain our 1,000-acre preserve, assist with special events, and teach programs. Volunteer groups enjoy recurring volunteer activities, ongoing learning opportunities, and meeting like-minded people.

Teens in Teatown (TNT) offers ongoing volunteer opportunities for local teenagers interested in nature. Projects include animal care, education, stewardship, and special events. We also offer opportunities for older teens and young adults to intern within the education and stewardship departments.

Adult volunteers can become Nature Guides, Wildflower Island Guides, Trail Maintainers, or become part of the Stewardship Crew. Both teens and adults are welcome to volunteer during our annual special events, including EagleFest in February and PlantFest in May. 

For more information, visit www.teatown.org; to volunteer, email us at info@teatown.org or call 914-762-2912.

Saw Mill River Audubon

Founded in 1953, the Saw Mill Audubon (SMRA) connects people with nature through free education programs and field trips and advocates for healthy habitats for birds, other wildlife, and people. SMRA owns and maintains eight wildlife sanctuaries in Westchester County, two in the Croton area: Brinton Brook Sanctuary and Graff Sanctuary.

Saw Mill River Audubon has volunteer opportunities in our three areas of focus:

* education, including public programs and field trips for all ages;

* advocacy, including monitoring local issues; and

* caring for our sanctuaries, including volunteer trail walkers and sanctuary work days.

For more information, visit https://www.sawmillriveraudubon.org/volunteer, email us at office@sawmillriveraudubon.org, or call 914-666-6503

Croton 100

Croton100 is an all-volunteer community-based organization, founded in 2019, that seeks to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions in Croton-on-Hudson to net zero by 2040, achieving a 5% reduction per year through a combination of advocacy, education, and decarbonization campaigns.

Our mission begins with carbon literacy: establishing a baseline household carbon inventory and promoting our Carbon Tracker software. Campaigns include promoting electric vehicles, heat pumps, renewable electricity, and home energy efficiency improvements as well as embracing personal carbon reduction through plant based diets, waste reduction, composting, and gardening.

Croton100 welcomes volunteers to help with all aspects of our mission. We are an education and advocacy organization and we need volunteers to lead decarbonizing campaigns, administer social media, write blogs and letters to the editor, contribute to and manage a monthly newsletter, work with public facilities and businesses, organize community engagement activities, and help with grant writing and fundraising. We especially welcome youth who can help lead education and advocacy about the climate stability they want.

For more information, visit www.croton100.org or email us at communications@croton100.org

Riverkeeper

Riverkeeper was founded in 1966 at the Hudson River Fisherman’s Association to address severe pollution and neglect affecting the Hudson. Today, its volunteer citizen scientists and activists work to insure that over nine million New Yorkers have clean, safe drinking water.

Riverkeeper volunteer activities include:

* participating in the Riverkeeper Sweep, an annual day of service for the Hudson River, when thousands of volunteers remove tons of trash and invasive species from the river;

* hosting a screening of short documentary films to educate friends and community members about threats to the Health of the Hudson and how to address them

* staffing outreach tables at farmers markets, festivals, and fairs.

To explore Riverkeeper volunteer activities, visit the groups website at www.riverkeeper.org; membership inquiries may be directed to Monica Dietrich at 914-478-4501 or by emailing mdietrich@riverkeeper.org

Hudson River Clearwater

In 1969, Hudson River Clearwater, Inc. launched the sloop Clearwater, a 106 foot replica of the ships that sailed on the Hudson in the 18th and 19th Centuries, to conduct science-based environmental education. Founded by folk singer and activist Pete Seeger (1919 to 2014), the Clearwater has carried more than half a million people on voyages up and down the river to explore the river’s ecosystem and become advocates for its protection.

Clearwater volunteer opportunities include:

* serving as an onboard small group activity leader, living aboard the ship, sailing and teaching young people about the river;

* staffing information tables at colleges, conferences, farmers markets and other high-traffic locations;

* helping organize the Clearwater Great Hudson River Festival which takes place at Croton Point Park.

To find out more about Hudson River Clearwater, Inc., visit their website at www.clearwater.org; volunteer inquires may also be directed to Clearwater’s volunteer coordinator at office@clearwater.org

Ferry Sloops

In 1982, Ferry Sloops, Inc. was organized, in the tradition of activism pioneered by Pete Seeger, to offer free sails at riverside festivals that introduced guests to the Hudson’s ecology and encouraged them to become “advocates for the river.” Now located at the Shattemuc Yacht Club in Ossining, the group offers excursions for small groups throughout the sailing season.

Members of the group are eligible to be trained in sailing basics and can then serve as volunteer crew members for Ferry Sloop excursions.

More information about the group can be found at www.ferrysloops.org or by emailing info@ferrysloops.org

Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center, Yorktown Heights

Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center, founded in 2010, is dedicated to the development and advancement of sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, community education, and accessible food systems for all. A minimum 10% of produce grown is donated to food pantries and soup kitchens.

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization and increase our impact on our community. We offer a range of fun, hands-on volunteer opportunities to suit your interests and your schedules. Donating to local food pantries is an important part of our mission and we are looking for volunteers to help harvest for this program on Monday mornings for a few hours throughout the fall. Volunteers are also needed Tuesday – Thursday to help harvest, clean and pack produce. Volunteers can also help out at one of our many fun public events or assist in the office. 

For more information, visit: www.hilltophanoverfarm.org; To volunteer, email us at volunteers@hilltophanoverfarm.org or call 914-862-5050

SCOUTING

Croton Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts provides a safe, inclusive environment where girls of all ages from diverse backgrounds develop the courage, confidence, and character to become leaders and make the world a better place.

The Croton Girl Scout Community serves troops within the Croton on Hudson, NY area and delivers the Girl Scout Leadership Experience Program to girls in the Croton-Harmon School District.

We are made up of dedicated volunteers that lead troops ranging from Daisies (Kindergarten through 1st grade), Brownies (2nd grade through 3rd grade), Juniors (4th grade through 5th grade), Cadettes (6th grade through 8th grade), Seniors (9th and 10th grade) and Ambassadors (11th and 12th grade).

A Girl Scout volunteer serves as a cheerleader, guide, and mentor. You will help the scouts develop skills and confidence that will last a lifetime. As a leader, you will partner with one or more volunteers and co-lead a troop together.

For more information, visit www.crotongirlscouts.org or email crotongirlscoutcommunity@gmail.com

Croton Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. The Boy Scouting program is outdoor-oriented with emphasis on camping, wood lore, and swimming. A main directive of the program is community service.

Boy Scout Troop 28 and Cub Scout Troop 28 are chartered by Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Croton.

For more information about Cub Scouts, visit www.crotoncubs.org or call 914-419-1785

For information about Croton Boy Scouts, visit www.troopwebhost.org/Troop28Croton or email scoutmaster@troop28croton.org