(PHOTO: Debbie Berger, President of The Woman’s Club of Rye. Contributed.)
Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Debbie Berger of The Woman’s Club of Rye.
Your Name: Debbie Berger
Organization: The Woman’s Club of Rye
Your Role: President
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission
Berger: We are dedicated to assisting and enriching the lives of the elderly, children, and those in need in our community through charitable, educational, and compassionate efforts. Our community includes Rye, Rye Brook, Port Chester, Rye Neck, and Harrison.
How long have you operated in Rye?
Berger: The Woman’s Club was established in 1933. Originally, the organization was primarily a social club, but over the years, its focus changed to community service and philanthropic efforts. In 2014, the club was granted status as a 501(c)(3) organization, and it has been operating as a charitable and educational organization in the community since then. The Woman’s Club of Rye (WCR) is part of the National Federation of Woman’s Clubs, which has 60,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state, but it is the only affiliate operating in the communities that we serve.
What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?
Berger: Each year, our Philanthropy Committee collects information about worthy local organizations and asks them to submit grant applications for specific programs. We review all the grant applications to ensure that the requests are meaningful to the community and that our grant will truly make a difference in the organization’s ability to fulfill its goals. In addition, our goal this year was to split the funds in half between high school scholarships and community organizations. Our grants were made in May and June of 2025.
- We (The WCR) granted four scholarships to worthy Rye High School seniors who will be continuing their studies at accredited continuing education programs. Two $2,500 scholarships were granted to high school students (one to a female student and one to a male student) who will be attending four-year college programs. A $1,000 scholarship was granted to a student attending an accredited technical or trade program. The $500 Eleanor Levensen Award, honoring a past president of the Woman’s Club of Rye, was granted to a college-bound senior.
- We are a long-time contributor to the Emergency Medical Services of Rye/Rye Brook/Port Chester in recognition of the life-saving services they provide to the community. In 2025, the WCR made a grant to EMS to support a CPR community-wide training program necessary to achieve “Heartsafe Community” certification.
- We contributed to Meals on Wheels of Rye/Rye Brook/ Port Chester to subsidize meals for all homebound residents for a month.
- We contributed to the Rye Brook Senior Center to fund a program that provides hot meals and activities for needy seniors.
- We contributed to the Rye Recreation Center to provide programming for senior citizens.
- We contributed to EMS of Harrison to provide needed medical supplies for the summer season.
The Crossroads Cares Holiday drive raised $3,400 this year, which was granted to Caritas (now part of Meals on Main Street) to provide emergency funds for selected women who are at a crossroads in their lives and are in significant need of financial, emotional and/or health related assistance for themselves. The grant was made in December during the holiday period.
What will be your top initiatives in 2026?
Berger:
- We will continue to focus on philanthropic grants that support the organizations which are most effective in fulfilling our mission to assist and enrich the lives of the elderly, children, and those in need in our community. In 2024-2025, our grants totaled over $15,000, which was the largest amount since the pandemic years when our membership declined. In 2026, we hope to raise even more.
- We will also focus on increasing our presence in the community and attracting new members who will contribute to and participate in our programs.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved in your programming and services.
Berger: We have about 90 members from the local community who participate regularly, including 30 members of our younger section called Children’s Philanthropy. The Children’s Philanthropy section focuses on helping families with school-aged children in the community.
Our 60 older members meet socially on a monthly basis at the Christ’s Church of Rye to enjoy educational programs and speakers.
Each year, the club holds Fall and Spring luncheon fund-raising events at local Rye clubs. These luncheons are the primary sources of funding for the club’s philanthropic grants. Some of the local restaurants, retail stores and service providers that have supported of our fund-raising events include (in alphabetical order) Alba’s, Arcade Books, Antique Garage, Aurora, Averna, Casual Hair, Cerbone’s, Cindy’s Nails, Costco, DeCicco, Fashion Nails, Gus’s Restaurant, Hudson Paul Salon, John Christopher Salon, Joli Salon, Longford’s, Marianacci’s, Massage Envy, M&Y Spa, Palmer & Purchase, Pasquale’s, Rockridge Deli & Flowers, Ruby’s Oyster Bar & Bistro, Rye Beach Pharmacy, Rye Country Store, Rye Grill and Bar, Rye Ridge Pharmacy, Shoes and More, The Snackery, Sergio’s Sawpit, Sportech, Vaccaro’s Wines & Spirits, Wegman’s and R&M Woodrow Jewelers.
Our members enjoy participating in special interest groups within the club. The most popular include:
- The new weekly Canasta Club at which members learned how to play canasta and are now playing regularly. The instructors are members of the WCR (Debbie Berger & Janet Meyers). This club provides members with a chance to learn something new and to socialize with members that they otherwise may not have.
- The monthly Book Club meetings at which our members discuss a current book. The discussion is led by a different member each month. The monthly Stitch and Chat gathering at which hand-made items are collected. We provide an important service by knitting, crocheting, and sewing blankets, baby clothes, baby toys, and hats for all ages. We have donated these items to 5 Steps to Five, Montrose Veterans Hospital, the Rye Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion, Open Door in Port Chester, Operation Baby Shower (for families of deployed service men and women), and identified individual families.
We look forward to welcoming new members from Rye, Rye Brook, Port Chester, Rye Neck, or Harrison. We would also appreciate any donation you can make that will help us help others in our community.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Berger: I have been in my current role since June 1, 2024. I took over the position from retired Co-Presidents Eileen Shea and Ann Goldsmith. They poured their hearts and souls into the WCR and are tough acts to follow. I am extremely fortunate to be supported by Charlotte Powell, Carin Gendell (CFO), and Janet Meyers, as well as the past co-presidents. I also have a fabulous slate of officers and directors.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Berger: The role is volunteer and is part time.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Berger: I think the word my friends and family would use to describe me is “empathetic”.
Where did you grow up?
Berger: I grew up in Middlebury, Connecticut. I received my undergraduate degree and MBA from Dartmouth College.
What principles guide you when you have to make a difficult decision?
Berger: The principles that guide me when I have to make a difficult decision are:
- Always be honest.
- Seek advice from others who know more about the topic than I do.
- Consider all points of view.
- Always remain true to myself and my values.
- Build consensus.
Where do you live and how many years have you lived there?
Berger: I have lived in Rye Brook since 1990. I have two sons (one in Philadelphia and one in Manhattan), two grandchildren, and a poodle.
Thanks Debbie!
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