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William and Jane Balter Selected as BGCNW's Humanitarians of the Year

Mount Kisco, NY (March 30, 2010) – William and Jane Balter (of Mount Kisco) have been selected to receive the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester's 2010 Humanitarians of the Year Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Club supporter. The Balters will be recognized for their years of outstanding service and dedication at the 16th annual Humanitarian Award Dinner, the organization's largest fundraising event.

William Balter has been involved in real estate development for more than 15 years and is currently president of Wilder Balter Partners. A Club board member since 2007, he is a leader in affordable and luxury housing in the Westchester County. In 2006, Wilder Balter Partners became one of the first community builders in the region to embrace green construction practices. The company's commitment to environmental responsibility led to their certification by the U.S. Green Building Council as a designated Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes builder, making Wilder Balter Partners the first Westchester County builder to achieve the designation. William is a member of the Westchester Land Trust. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Skidmore College and a Master's of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.

A former elementary school teacher, and now busy mother and active volunteer in local organizations, Jane Donnelly Balter has long served the community. She most recently has been volunteering at the Club in the Kisco Kids Café, helping to serve nutritious after-school meals. Jane served for many years as one of Teatown Lake Reservation's Auction Committee chairs. She was also an active nature guide at Teatown, leading school groups through hands on Maple Sugaring Programs, Cliffdale Farm programs, Native American programs, and "Meet the Animals" programs. An active Mount Kisco Elementary School Association volunteer in the Bedford Central School District, Jane re-launched the MKES After-School Activities Program in 1999 and ran it for several years. She served as Student Enrichment chair, Compact for Learning Committee member, Teacher Appreciation Breakfast Coordinator, and developed and Co-Chaired the very successful fundraising Historic House Tour for three years. Jane taught second grade for five years in the Byram Hills School District, where she piloted a cutting-edge science and technology program, and was active in creating the nature trail at Wampus Elementary School. She continued her profession in education as a consultant, training teachers in science curriculum, after her children were born. She also has volunteered her time teaching religion in Bedford. Jane received her Masters in Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education and her Bachelors Degree in French from Mount Holyoke College.

"The Balters are an inspiration to the entire community," said Brian Skanes, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. "They are wonderful supporters and contribute their own unique talents to better our Club. We are fortunate to have them as part of our team."

The Humanitarian Award Dinner will take place on Saturday, June 5 at Lexus of Mount Kisco in Mount Kisco, NY. All proceeds from the event will provide scholarships for children in need as well as support programs for the 2,500 youths served annually at the Club. This year's theme, "Sustain," celebrates the Club's goal to preserve, protect, and nurture the youngest generation with its healthy nutrition, green living, and renewable energy initiatives.

Past event honorees include Thomas and Ursula LaMotte, Laureen Barber, Leslie Cecil, John and Amy Crabtree, Muffin Ziminsky Dowdle, Skip and Michaela Beitzel, Peter and Sara Tucker, Ken and Margaret O'Gara, Kelly and Rick Wietsma, Kevin Bannon, Bonnie Trotta and Seema Boesky, Dana and Christopher Reeve, Carll and Diane Tucker, Kalman Fox, and Dan Hollis.

The Humanitarian Award Dinner is open to all by advance reservation. The cocktail reception, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is followed by dinner, an award presentation, live auction, and dancing. Individual tickets are $350; sponsorship tables are also available. For further information regarding tickets and/or donations, please contact Jean Skanes at (914) 666-8069 x111 or jskanes@bgcnw.com.

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester is located at 351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, NY and can be reached at (914) 666-8069 or by visiting www.bgcnw.com. To contact the Club's Teen Center, located at 317 Main Street in Mt. Kisco, please call (914) 733-0033.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester
The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester was established in 1939 as a place for "boys to get off the streets." It is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and enabling young people, especially those who need it most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Located in Mt. Kisco, NY, the 36,000-square-foot facility features an eight-lane pool, Child Care Center, gymnasium, games room, and two computer labs, and an additional 1,600-foot Teen Center facility. The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester serves 2,500 youths, boys and girls ages 6 months to 18 years, from more than 60 Northern Westchester communities. The Club has been ranked among the outstanding Clubs in the national network of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Press Contact: Kat McKee, Co-Communications, 914-666-0066, kat@cocommunications.com

Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester
351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, New York 10549 (914) 666-8069