Rye Teen Capped Work for Cancer Charities with the Creation of Kids Care Kits

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — A Rye teenager is among five people and one not-for-profit group honored for their contributions to public health by the Westchester County Board of Health. The Board held its annual awards presentation April 5 at HRHCare Community Health in Peekskill.

“We are fortunate in Westchester that gifted and extraordinary people like these give their time and talents to improve the health of our community,” said Deputy County Executive Kevin J. Plunkett, who presented the winners with proclamations honoring their achievements on behalf of County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “Congratulations to the winners, to Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler, and her team at the health department, and to the members of the Westchester County Board of Health. Working together, they preserve, protect and promote the health of Westchester residents.”

Board president R. Steven Nakashima presented the 2017 J.R. Tesone Youth Public Health Service award to Alicia McMillan, 16, of Rye, for her compassionate care and advocacy for children affected by cancer.

“Not only has Alicia helped on a personal level, but her kits will benefit children for years to come,” Nakashima said. “Alicia demonstrated compassion and generosity far beyond her years and leveraged her community connections to make her Kids Care Kits a reality. Her efforts are a shining example of how young people can make a difference.”

In 2015, the Westchester County Board of Health introduced this award to honor the memory of J.R. Tesone, a fellow board member who had devoted his life to making summers safe and fun for hundreds of children. J.R. Tesone found his calling as a camp counselor and later became the dedicated owner of Breezemont Day Camp in Armonk. This award highlights the public health achievement of a young person in Westchester.

Here's what the Board said about McMillan:

Alicia McMillan, a 16-year- old from Rye, deeply felt the loss of a great-aunt to cancer. This led Alicia to volunteer for groups involved in caring for people with cancer.

She started raising money for cancer-related causes, especially SOUL RYEDERS, a local charity that provides comfort to people with cancer.

When a neighbor was diagnosed with breast cancer, Alicia volunteered to help the family cope with treatment and its aftermath. By becoming a virtual big sister to her neighbor’s two young daughters, Alicia distracted them and provided emotional support throughout their mom’s battle with cancer. This experience led her to realize that while SOUL RYEDERS focused on caring for adults with cancer, it could also help children, by giving comforting care packages to children with cancer or who have a family member with cancer. To get things started, Alicia contributed her allowance and babysitting money and made the purchasing decisions for these Kids Care Kits. She tailored every kit to the age and interests of each child, and always included a handwritten note of encouragement.

To expand the reach of Kids Care Kits, Alicia has tapped her family’s extensive social networks. She has organized and sold tickets to an afternoon tea party, an evening cocktail party and even a karaoke night at a local bar. The kits have been so well received that SOUL RYEDERS has incorporated Alicia’s idea into the services they routinely offer to families.

Alicia also participated in the Westchester Kids Triathlon, completed the 39-mile Avon Walk to End Breast Cancer as the youngest member of the SOUL RYDERS team and fundraised both for Gilda’s Club in White Plains and for the American Cancer Society. Caring for people with cancer has been a driving force for Alicia, who has raised more than $8,500 to help these causes.

The other winners were:

Nakashima presented the 2017 Distinguished Public Health Service Award to John Gilleo, a lifelong Peekskill resident, for advocating on behalf of comprehensive mental health care for low-income residents and his leadership as a HRHCare Community Health board member. Gilleo also has served as president of the tenant’s associations for three affordable housing complexes in Peekskill.

“John Gilleo has a deep commitment to the success and well-being of our communities,” said Anne Kauffman Nolon, MPH, President and CEO of HRHCare, who nominated him. “As a HRHCare Community Health Board Member, he has provided valued insight to help guide our network of care during a time of great expansion.”

The Board also recognized four Public Health Honorees:

Emily Gualdino, a ninth-grader from Mahopac, for her weekly visits and friendship to medically fragile children at the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center and John A. Coleman School, both in Yonkers;

Chloe Krugel, a 12th grader from Chappaqua, for promoting adolescent mental health through her volunteer work with the President’s Junior Leadership Council at Northern Westchester Hospital and for initiating a Mental Wellness Club at her high school;

Joe Rogot of New Rochelle, for transforming a rocky field at Ward Acres back into a flourishing community garden that yields produce served at Hope Community Soup Kitchen;

SPRYE, Inc., (Staying Put in Rye & Environs) a grass-roots group in Port Chester led by Betti Weimersheimer of Rye and a team of nearly 80 volunteers who help hundreds of seniors in Port Chester, Rye, Harrison and Rye Brook age in place at home by providing rides, handyman help, outings, and referrals.

“The Health Department is fortunate to have such capable partners working alongside us to promote public health in our communities,” said Amler. “We are especially grateful to not-for- profit groups and to our honorees, who enhance and support the work done by local organizations.”

PHOTO: Alicia McMillan, J R Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award winner, from Rye/ Westchester County Board of Health