United Way Women’s Leadership Council “Take a Walk in Her Shoes” Event

White Plains, N.Y, (November 2024) - Two distinguished leaders dedicated to helping women and families living on the financial edge, will receive the United Way Women’s Leadership Council’s 2024 ‘Woman of Distinction” award on Tuesday, December 10 at its 12th Annual Celebration of Women in Philanthropy.

The “Take A Walk in Her Shoes” event recognizes and reinforces the work of women helping financially vulnerable women in Westchester and Putnam counties become self-sufficient through targeted resources and programs. The breakfast event will be held from 8-10 a.m. at Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill in Tarrytown.

The event is presented by NewYork Presbyterian and PepsiCo, and generously sponsored by Con Edison, PURE Insurance, Thompson & Bender; Fifth Third Wealth Advisors; Valley Bank; Wegmans and Westchester Medical Center Health Network.

During the breakfast, the United Way of Westchester and Putnam will honor Karen Erren, President and CEO of Feeding Westchester, and Leslie Lampert, Executive Chef and Proprietor of Ladle of Love and Love Hospitality. Both exceptional leaders share a passion for combating food insecurity.

“Food insecurity is a major issue for families in our region who are living from paycheck to paycheck,’’ said Tom Gabriel, President and CEO of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “The mission to which these two women are dedicated aligns perfectly with the Council’s goal to help financially vulnerable women and families. Karen and Leslie serve as examples of what can be accomplished with vision and dedication.”

Proceeds from the annual Women’s Leadership Council breakfast help to support lives of ALICE women, children, and their families in Westchester and Putnam who struggle daily to afford their most basic needs. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed, once known as the working poor. Of the 7,758,644 households In New York State, 15 percent earned below the Federal Poverty Level, earning $39,837 a year; 31 percent were ALICE households, earning just over $93,000 a year. The median income in Westchester is $108,000 a year.

Tickets are current sold out, but please contact Laurie Noel: (914) 688-1740 or lnoel@uwwp.org to add your name to a waiting list. Congratulatory ads and sponsorships are still being sought. To learn more, visit https://www.uwwp.org.

For more information or questions, please contact Margaret Tramontine at mtramontine@uwwp.org or 914.997.6700 x737.

More about UWWP’s Honorees:

Karen C. Erren

President and CEO, Feeding Westchester

Karen Erren’s leadership style and deep commitment to fighting hunger inspires both the team at Feeding Westchester and our community. Her natural ability to balance critical decision-making with team collaboration, and her skill in humanizing the cause through personal stories, drives the organization’s approach to addressing hunger in Westchester. A passionate “servant leader,” Karen has greatly expanded the organization’s community presence, its advocacy efforts, and led a building expansion doubling Feeding Westchester’s food storage capacity.

Leslie Lampert, Executive Chef and Proprietor, Ladle of Love and Love Hospitality

Leslie Lampert’s highly successful “Love” brand began unexpectedly when her homemade soups for 9/11 responders gained popularity and word spread rapidly. Celebrating 21 years, Leslie and the brand are the recipients of numerous accolades and awards. Whether delivering meals to medical professionals during the pandemic or providing weekly nutrition to 1,500+ kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester, Leslie Lampert is widely known and regarded for always providing meaningful support and comfort to those in need around her.

About United Way of Westchester and Putnam

United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) is an anti-poverty organization dedicated to improving the lives of 40% of our neighbors who live in poverty or paycheck to paycheck. United Way provides strategic resources and tools to help struggling residents lead a better, more stable life, and these include our 211 Helpline operating 24/7 across the Hudson Valley, early literacy programming for preschoolers in underserved communities, job skills training and financial empowerment for financially struggling adults and families, as well as access to health services and discounts on prescription drugs. United Way supports hundreds of local nonprofits with millions of dollars in grants and essential goods for basic needs, as well as by providing affordable professional development and connecting nonprofits to new resources.

UWWP is located at 336 Central Park Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. Phone: 914-997-6700 Website: www.uwwp.org, Facebook: (www.facebook.com/UnitedWayWP), LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/united-way-of-westchester-and-putnam, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unit... and Twitter (@UnitedWayWP)