Kelly Shine, President-Elect; Jamie Powell Schwartz, 2024-2025 President, and Jennifer Carella, Executive Vice-President

By Patricia Wahl with photography by Amanda Gentile Photography LLC

March 26, 2025: The Junior League of Bronxville (JLB) hosted its Annual Bids to Benefit Fundraiser, Twilight in the Tropics, on Friday, March 7th, at the Bronxville Field Club (BFC). Attendees enjoyed delicious tropical-themed food, refreshing drinks, and dancing to the vibrant rhythms of Lulada Club, a New York-based all-women salsa orchestra.

Through ticket sales, donations, a silent auction, and the purchase of curated experiences, Twilight in the Tropics enhanced the JLB’s mission to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

The event was coordinated by 2024-25 Fundraising Vice President Taylor Gari with assistance from Event Chair Elaine Harris-Whalen and the JLB's Fundraising Council.

Among the many items that attendees and other patrons bid on were a seven-night stay at Seaspeak House in Nevis, generously underwritten by Seaspeak House Ltd., wine from Bronxville Wines & Spirits, a private pickleball class at the BFC, a one-year membership to Beauty & Fly Aesthetic Wellness, classes at Orangetheory Fitness, a personal training package from Changes Health & Fitness, skin care products and treatment from Skin Confident Beauty & Skin Spa, a private class at Yoga Haven, Mets Tickets given by Mayer Brown LLP, Mahjong instruction from Moms4MahJ, Phillies Jerseys donated by the Gari Family, a private chess lesson from the Schwartz Family, and a private shopping experience at Tiffany & Co. Guests also bid on offerings at The Picture House Bronxville, treats from Bakeville Treats, a generous summer reading basket sponsored by the JLB Book Club, and functional integration movement lessons from Well Minded Movement.

It was a festive night – attendees were dressed in tropical island themes, and Lulada Club entertained guests with salsa vibes for the dance floor.

Attendee Tatiana Castro-Taboas mentioned how fitting it was that the band was all-female for the event, especially for the start of Women’s History Month.

The JLB is extremely proud of the continuous support it receives from the community, including local, small, and women-owned businesses. The JLB's appreciation goes to all of its sponsors and donors. Funds raised supported the JLB’s mission, 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 partnership with Feeding Westchester, the Joyful Closet at the Edward Williams School in Mount Vernon, which provides school uniforms and clothing items, toiletries, and other essentials 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.

2024-25 JLB President, Jamie Powell Schwartz said, “Twilight in the Tropics was a spectacular success. Guests were swept away to a vibrant Caribbean escape for the evening, celebrating the impact of the Junior League of Bronxville while raising crucial funds to support our work in the community. It was a night of fun, generosity, and purpose—a true testament to the power of coming together for a great cause!”

The Junior League of Bronxville, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The JLB services the areas of Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers. The JLB has been an active and local women’s volunteer organization in Southern Westchester since 1948. For more information on the JLB, please visit www.jlbronxville.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram