Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Honors Larchmont Residents Judith and Roger Widmann

The following announcement is from Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP):

Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) honored Larchmont residents Judith and Roger Widmann at the October 23 Empower Luncheon at the Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison, NY. The event was co-chaired by Larchmont resident and PPHP Board Member Joan Rosen, and helped raise $275,000 for the organization’s quality, affordable and non-judgmental health care and vital education programs in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Suffolk counties.

The Widmanns were lauded for their unwavering leadership and support for more than 25 years, including Ms. Widmann’s years as a PPHP volunteer and Board Member. In her acceptance remarks, Ms. Widmann emphasized the ongoing need for Planned Parenthood’s reproductive health services through changing times from when she was in college decades ago to today.

PPHP also honored the Congregation of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in White Plains as the community honoree. The Congregation was represented by Rev. Dr. Gawain de Leeuw and Board President Kathryn Wallace. For the past two years, the congregation chose PPHP as the beneficiary of its annual Mardi Gras fundraiser, and supported Rev. Dr. De Leeuw in his roles as a member of both the PPHP Board of Directors and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Clergy Advocacy Board.

“We are grateful that PPHP enjoys the unwavering support of so many in our community,” PPHP President and CEO Reina Schiffrin said. “We are pleased to honor dedicated individuals like Judy and Roger Widmann and faith based organizations like St. Bart’s that are steadfast partners in our work.”

Pulitzer Prize winning author and Scarsdale resident Sheryl WuDunn, who co-wrote the recently published book, A Path Appears, with her husband Nicholas Kristof, was the featured speaker at the luncheon. She spoke to the more than 330 guests about the importance of family planning in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Co-chairing the event with Rosen were Denise Lipson of Upper Grandview and Luz Shulgin of Patterson, NY.

PPHP operates health centers in Brewster, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Spring Valley, White Plains, Yonkers, Huntington, Patchogue, Riverhead, Smithtown, and West Islip.

Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) is the 20th largest affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and operates 11 health centers in Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties. In 2013, PPHP provided services to more than 34,000 patients in more than 68,000 visits. PPHP conducted almost 1,700 education and training programs, reaching more than 29,000 youth and adults, and mobilized 15,000 advocates to protect reproductive health care rights. PPHP has served the community for 80 years, and is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to make responsible choices regarding their sexuality and sexual health. For more information about PPHP’s services and programs, visit www.pphp.org.