By Monica Malpass Photography by K. Salkey of Narrative View Media

April 10, 2024: The Junior League of Bronxville (JLB) hosted its annual Bids to Benefit fundraiser on March 1 at the Bronxville Field Club (BFC).

The fundraiser, which helped kick off Women's History Month, kept attendees enjoying delicious food and drinks and rocking out to cassette classics and 80’s rock by local band and JLB sponsor, Beautiful Buzz, until the final curtain call of the evening. Through ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and the purchase of curated experiences, the fundraiser supported the JLB’s mission “to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.”

The event was overseen by JLB Past President and current Fundraising Vice President Michelle Schoulder and Event Chair Taylor Gari along with an entire team of JLB volunteers. Among the many items that attendees and other generous patrons bid on were dine, stay, and spa packages at The Abbey Inn & Spa, private paddle lessons at the BFC, a coffee tasting class with Coffee Labs Roasters, a SoulCycle workout, a speakeasy at a private home, a closet refresh with The New York Stylist and a plant care demonstration from PlantBlerd.

Bids were also placed for delicious desserts from Bakeville Treats, skin and spa services from Skin Confident Beauty & Skin Spa, a curated selection of top reads from the JLB’s Member Book Club, and more.

One “buzzworthy” aspect of Bids that was definitely worth repeating from prior years was the contribution of prior JLB Sponsor of the Year Bronxville Wines & Spirits (BW&S). Matthew Eil of BW&S put together the perfect selection of nine silent auction lots that ranged from everything from “California Legends”’ to “Greats of Italy” to a “Bar Starter Pack.”

On the evening of the event, Joern Tittel of BW&S ran a live auction that included “Sailing with a Sommelier” and a champagne tasting for twenty. Since the Bids to Benefit event was conceptualized years ago, BW&S has been a key partner for the JLB and this year was no different. Schoulder remarked, “There is no greater honor and satisfaction than to plan an event, like Bids to Benefit, where you see your membership, the local businesses, and the broader community come together in support of a mission that means so much and makes such a difference to those it touches.”

The JLB is extremely proud of the support it receives from the community, including local, small, and women-owned businesses. A heartfelt thanks goes to Bakeville Treats, Beautiful Buzz, Bronxville Wines and Spirits, Coffee Labs Roasters, Kamili Bell Hill of PlantBlerd, Michelle Makes Memories, Skin Confident Beauty & Skin Spa, The Abbey Inn & Spa, The New York Stylist, and SoulCycle.

Funds raised through this event support the JLB, including its women’s leadership development and outreach efforts throughout its five service areas of Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers. Examples of the JLB‘s outreach initiatives include two monthly Mobile Food Pantries in conjunction with Feeding Westchester; the JLB Joyful Closet at the Edward Williams School in Mount Vernon, providing necessary clothing, toiletries, and other necessities to children in need in partnership with Bundles of Joy; and a monthly afterschool reading program at Eastchester Community Action Partnership (ECAP) called the Book Nook in Tuckahoe.

Current JLB President Jennifer Carella summed up the event by saying, “Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of Bids to Benefit. This year’s event was a fresh, fun take on a classic JLB fundraiser. Fundraisers such as this allow us to continue our vision of Mobilizing Women to Ignite & Inspire Community Change.” A wonderful evening that everyone will remember and all for a good cause!