Giving Rye: Meet The Woman’s Club of Rye
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 and beyond 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 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:
- In June every year, the Woman’s Club of Rye grants four scholarships to worthy Rye High School seniors who will be continuing their studies at an accredited continuing education program. A $2,500 scholarship is granted to one female student and to one male student who will be attending four-year college programs. A $1,000 scholarship is 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, is granted to a college-bound senior.
- The Woman’s Club of Rye has focused for many years on enriching the lives of senior citizens. We provide annual grants to the Rye Recreation Center to provide programming for senior citizens. In 2024, the WCR provided funding to the Rye Brook Senior Center to support its hot meals program and other programs for the neediest seniors in the community. In 2024, we also made a grant to the Rye Senior Advocacy Committee to help provide emergency kits to at-risk seniors living independently.
- The WCR is 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 2024, the WCR made a $1,800 grant to EMS to support the expansion of the “Stop the Bleed” training program.
- The WCR is also a long-time contributor to Meals on Main Street by Caritas in Port Chester. Through a program called “Crossroads Cares”, WCR members contribute approximately $3,000 annually, which is granted to several women selected by Caritas who are at a crossroads in their lives and are in significant need of financial, emotional and/or health related assistance. The grants are made in December during the holiday period.
What will be your top initiatives in 2025?
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 2023-2024, our grants totaled $14,000, which was the largest amount since the pandemic years when our membership declined. In 2025, we hope to raise $15,000 or more.
- We will also focus on attracting new members who will contribute to and participate in our programs so that we can expand our outreach into the community.
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. The local businesses that have been annual sponsors of these fund-raising luncheons include Carpet Trends, Coldwell Banker, and Houlihan Lawrence. Local restaurants, retail stores and service providers have also been consistent supporters of our fundraising events.
Our members enjoy participating in special interest groups within the club. The most popular include:
- 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.
- Crossroads, which conducts social activities. In the past year, we have dined together, enjoyed a special tour of the Jay Mansion in Rye, and took a docent-led tour of the Bruce Museum in Greenwich.
We look forward to welcoming new members from Rye, Rye Brook, Port Chester, Rye Neck, or Harrison.
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 recently took over the position from retired Co-Presidents Eileen Shea and Ann Goldsmith, who served as presidents for many years. They poured their hearts and souls into the WCR and will be tough acts to follow. I am extremely fortunate to be supported by Charlotte Powell, Carin Gendell, and Janet Meyers, as well as the past co-presidents.
Is the role full-time or part-time? Paid or volunteer?
Berger: The role is volunteer and is part time. I am a retired high school mathematics textbook writer/editor. I also tutored high school students in mathematics and for the SAT/ACT.
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.
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Berger: I have lived in Rye Brook since 1990. I have two sons, two grandchildren, and a poodle.
Thanks Debbie!
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