Tonight: Fundraiser for Children of Slain Westchester Mom

Update, Thursday, 10:30 a.m.: Tonight is the night for which we've been waiting, and Tanya Monier has been working tirelessly. 

There are 33 auction items/packages (and counting), which means something irresistible for everyone.

The many raffle items range from gift certificates to local dry cleaners to an overnight stay at the luxurious Tarrytown House Estate & Conference Center.

Raffle tickets are $5 each. The silent auction will end (and raffle will begin) at 9 p.m.

Cash and check only please!

Bring friends and you may want to bring a shopping bag to stow your goodies in! 

"Most of the town's merchants have thrown themselves in to this fundraiser heart and soul," Monier said. "I am so proud to live in these towns."

And post-party: The Tapp, just downstairs, is offering special $3/cup punch. Tell them you came from the fundraiser, and they'll donate 20% of your tab to The Howson Children's Fund.

Can't go? GIVE! Please show your support by donating generously to the Howson Children's Fund here.

Details on event on Facebook evite here (and read below).

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Update, Monday 5 p.m.: Tanya Monier has had staggering success rounding up every charitable business owner in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow to donate to this upcoming auction/raffle Wear It, But Don't Bear It. Now she just needs as many attendees as there are items.

Women are invited to come to the W@tercooler Thursday night to shop, sip, snack and enjoy the company of other women in the interest of raising big money for a worthy cause: the two children who lost their mother.

Here's an updated list of what will be up for auction and raffle on Thursday (or to just enjoy):

• Bridge View is sending over three cases of select beer...and $100 in gift certificates. 
• Manager Joe Santore of the Tarrytown House Estate has offered two overnight stays--one for raffle, one for auction. Plus, we will auction off a $100 gift certificate to use at Cellar 49, the estate's tavern. 
• Tarrytown Music Hall has a pair of tickets to auction: Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin!
• River View Wine Spirits--$50 gift certificate 
• Coffee Labs--two $25 gift certificates 
• Golden Nails & Spa--$15 gift certificate 
• Yogurt LeCrepe--two $10 certifcates for the first two $100 purchases 
• Tarry Tavern--$40
• Pure Mountain Olive Oil--Gift baskets! 
• Main Street Pizza of Tarrytown Inc--one cheese pizza (going into a kid's birthday package for auction)
• Angela Chirico of Hair On The Hudson--Radial Highlights and Blowdry (value $110
• Goldberg Hardware is offering a $50 gift certificate towards your paint purchase
• Allan Block Insurance Agency will donate a raffle basket with two bottles of wine, glasses, crackers and $25 gift certificate to a local merchant
• Main Street Sweets is offering a Sundae party for five, value of $60, for auction. Add that to Main Street Pizza's offer of a Cheese pizza certificate and your planning is pretty much done for a party this year! 
• Grape Expectations donates for auction a six-pack of wine retailing about $200, showcasing European wines: 2 Italian, 2 Spaniard, and 2 French
• Donna Ulto Gates and Harve gave us a case of sauvignon blanc to auction
• And so many more...

Read more and RSVP on the Facebook evite here. Note: cash and checks accepted only.

"Wear It, But Don't Bear It is resonating with our two towns. I have had such an open-hearted response from the local businesses for the March 21 event," Monier writes. "NOW, we need women to come to the event, have a great time, and raise real money for the Howson girls and their aunt."

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Original post: Sleepy Hollow resident Tanya Monier, like so many here, has been following the Howson story with shock and horror. And like many, for her it's personal. Her children shared the same bus stop with the Howson children; they enjoyed playdates together, birthday parties, and often ended up together in Douglas Park. 

Since the alleged murder of their mother Theresa Gorksi, Monier has found herself disheartened by how little money has been collected thus far for the two girls who are now being raised by their aunt, a single mother in Connecticut. 

Monier has hatched a plan to put together a fundraiser night which is quickly gaining items to auction and raffle and interest and support from the community. Rack it up to her good talking skills, but Monier seems to be getting everyone onboard.

“Jen Ross [of the W@tercooler] and others have been so generous with their time and goods to auction, raffle, or sell for this event we just set up, ‘Wear It, But Don't Bear It (domestic violence, that is).’” Monier said.

“This is not some philosophical question,” Monier said. “This is not about awareness for me, but getting real money in the hands of the woman raising these children. These are our kids, our community. We have to help take care of our own. Frankly it’s our social obligation.”

Read more and RSVP on the Facebook evite here.

The evite promises:

Enjoy a free glass of wine from Grape Expectations, get your tarot read, hang out with your friends, and help support the children of a local family who lost their mother to domestic violence.

One hundred percent of the profits will be donated to the Howson Children's Fund. For more on the fund read here.

A sampling of what some generous local merchants have offered for the raffle and silent auction:

• The Mighty Horseman Tattoo: one hour of tattoo time ($150 value)
• Mint Cafe: cheese platter for two
• Threads of Life: gorgeous aqua environment ($325 value)
• Au Naturel Health and Beauty: gift basket
• A stash of fashion finds sizes 000P-4x. Runway looks from Tahari, Coach, BCBG, Max Studio, Eileen Fisher, Calvin Klein, vintage pieces, etc. at thrift store prices.
• Spend $100 at the party and W@tercooler will thank you with one free desk day or one conference room hour.

The event is Thursday, March 21 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the W@tercooler, 21 N. Broadway, Tarrytown. Women only, please. "We can do this and make it fun," Monier said.

Can't go? GIVE! Please show your support by donating generously to the Howson Children's Fund here.

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