For The Kids: Clothing, Toy Drive, Carnival for a Cure

Each week, we'll give you the info on the best family activities or events for the week.

You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance. 

Look for the kids' planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips‚ just add them to the comment box. We want to hear from you.

Used Clothing and Toy Drive
When/Where: Pearl River High School’s Pirate Cove Friday, April 20 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Why Go: The Pearl River School District Parent-Teacher Associations and I Donate Goods are holding their third used clothing and toy fundraising drive. Bring clean, used clothing, linens, stuffed animals and toys to Pearl River High School’s Pirate Cove. I Donate Goods will give the PTA’s 16 cents per pound and a $100 bonus for every 5,000 pounds donated. Proceeds are divided among Pearl River’s six PTAs (Pearl River High School, Pearl River Middle, Lincoln Avenue Elementary, Franklin Avenue Elementary, Evans Park Elementary and the Special Education PTA) to support school programs.
Cost/Contact: Sherri Preston at spreston12@aol.com or Stacey Maher at irish693@aol.com.

When/Where: Friday, April 20, 4:00 pm/, 125 Route 340, Sparkill, NY
Why Go: Students from St. Thomas Aquinas College will join Nyack College, Rockland Community College, and Dominican College for this inaugural event to fight childhood cancer.
Cost/Contact: $10/amoore@stac.edu; (845) 398-4084

Homework Help
When/Where: Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Pearl River Public Library Story Time Room
Why Go: Students in kindergarten through fifth grade can come in for help from teen volunteers every Wednesday at the Pearl River Public Library.
Cost/Contact: Free. No registration is required. Just bring your homework. For more information, call Pamela Gunning at (845) 735-4084 ext 126.

Nanuet FD Open House
When/Where: Sunday, April 22 at 10 a.m. at the Nanuet Fire House
Why Go: The Nanuet Fire Department is opening its doors to the public as part of the annual Recruit NY campaign to increase the number of Volunteer Firefighters in their communities which has recently suffered a decline in membership due to various factors, including the stagnant economy. There will be information for adults and activities for the little ones
Cost/Contact: Free / (845) 623-9690

Author Presentation / Book Signing
When/Where: Monday, April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Nanuet High School
Why Go: Nanuet Senior High School PTSA Presents What Your Kids are In to and Up To& How to be a “Fingers on the Pulse” Parent with Arden Greenspan Goldberg, LSCW, BCD, Nationally Known Family Psychotherapist and Author. She will come to talk about some hot topics on pre-teens and adolescents such as Technology, Bullying, Barbie and Man of Steel, Body Piercings and Tattoos, Sex, Drugs and Rock-N-Roll.
Cost/Contact: Please RSVP. It's $5 for a seat for the program and prepaid books are discounted at the price of $10. At the event, books will be for sale at $15 while supplies last. Click here to RSVP

Dennis McHugh Foundation 5K Run/Walk and Family Fair
When/Where: Saturday, .April 21 at Fly Wheel Park on Ash Street in Piermont. 5K Run/
Walk at 10 a.m.; Pee-Wee Run at 11 a.m.; Family Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Why Go: Run or walk and partake in fun for the kids in honor of Dennis P. McHugh of the FDNY, a victim of 9/11. All proceeds go to  Rockland Homes for Heroes.
Cost/Contact: $25 for the 5K Run/Walk through April 20. $30 on race day. For more information, go to www.RocklandHomesForHeroes.com. 

Clarkstown South High School’s Centerstage Club Presents “Into the Woods”
When/Where: Friday, April 20, at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 21 at 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m./Clarkstown High School South, 31 Demarest Mill Rd, West Nyack

Why Go: This hilarious and thought provoking musical brings together classic characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack (of beanstalk notoriety) into one whacky yet poignant fairy tale.
Cost/Contact: $12/For tickets call (845) 638-3077.

New City Street Fair
When/Where: Sunday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m./South Main Street between Congers Road and Third Street in New City
Why Go: Take a stroll down South Main Street and enjoy the New City Street Fair sponsored by the New City Chamber of Commerce. See the wares of more than 130 vendors, sample the food stands, enjoy the kiddie rides, classic cars, live music and more. Free t-shirts will be given away at the chamber’s table.
Cost/Contact: Free admission, nominal fee for rides and arcade games/www.newcitychamber.com

When/Where: Saturday, April 21, 9:00 am/104 Lake Rd, Valley Cottage
Why Go: The Hudson Valley Visiting Pet Program will host a Reading Education Assistance Dogs workshop; individuals who wish to work with their animal to help children learn to read are encouraged to attend this program.
Cost/Contact: Free/(845) 267-8795