In 2017, Iona University Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) reached out to Gullotta House to partner in a fundraising event. Hundreds of student-athletes on intercollegiate teams dressed up in Halloween costumes to compete in lifting challenges, relay races, tug of war, and obstacle courses to raise funds for local children in need.

That initial event has since become an annual tradition. Over the  years, Gullotta House has raised over $7,000 with SAAC to benefit Westchester families. It’s been a pleasure working with the Iona Gaels. Their enthusiasm and growing community activism of these students energize us and gives up confidence that their future and the future will be better because of their selflessness.

Lift-O-Ween – October 24th – October 31st, 2023 during team lifts

Karaoke Night at the Mirage  – November 16th, 2023, 8:30-10:30pm

Westchester County, as a community has a relatively high median household income of $94,811. However, of its 967,612 population, 9.44% live below the poverty line.   While lower than the national poverty rate of 13.1%, there are some 89,800 residents who struggle to make ends meet. That’s why organizations like Gullotta House fulfill such an important need. That’s why we’re delighted to partner with other citizens and organizations to amplify our effectiveness and to raise awareness. There are always people who might be facing a hardship that escapes our notice and there’s always the opportunity to give back to residents who might otherwise not ask for assistance.

During this time of year, others might be enjoying a horror film, trick or treating or lighting a jack o lantern. Iona Gaels will take a study break in-between midterms to shine a spotlight on community assistance during hallows eve or souls day. The trajectory from Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival to All Saints Day to consuming tons of candy is illuminated here. At Gullotta House, we strive to build a new tradition of giving at specific times during the year but also raising awareness that need is year-round and can be sudden and acute. While this is one of our favorite events – because of the pageantry, festivity, and impact – we always want to keep the focus on helping families in need, in whatever capacity we can.

It looks like a duck. It acts like a duck. It is a duck race to make a positive impact in the lives of Westchester residents facing a hardship. Every Spring, floating down the Sing Sing Kills Brook are hundreds of rubber ducks reflecting how neighbors help neighbors in our community. This year’s race has been rescheduled due to inclement weather and will be held on Saturday September 30th, 2023.

This event was run by the Ossining Rotary Club. After emceeing for three years, Matt Gullotta agreed to make this a Gullotta House activity. Basically, friends and family are able to make small donations in a (slightly) competitive environment. A single duck cost $10. A quack pack of six cost $50. A flock of 13 cost $100. This year’s fundraising goal is $10,000. Click donate to purchase your tickets. Your ticket numbers will be emailed to you after your purchase.

Our 2020 Virtual Duck Race was held May 30th on Facebook Live and was a big success. In 2020, we had a 1st prize of $1,350. Click these links to see videos of our 2017 Charity Duck Race and 2018 Duck Race  on Facebook.

Don’t forget to spread the word. Challenge your friends or family members to help raise money by buying ducks. Earn bragging rights to see whose duck crosses the finish line first to become a champion on the big day! More importantly, your donations can help create memories for local youths. Our programs offer a little inspiration through cultural enrichment or eases some of the financial burden of higher education. Please consider contributing to our online fundraising activities and come out to cheer on your favorite ducks participating in the race of their life!

A wide variety of initiatives are underwritten by raising general funds. In addition, when we can, we partner with local organizations to amplify our impact. Our annual event with the Westchester Knicks is an example of just that. Over the past five years, we’ve been able to send over 1,500 children under 18 to watch a professional basketball game for free. This quality family time at this fun-filled event is one of many ways we try to contribute to our community.

Another general objective is to fund scholarships for High School students continuing their education. In recent years, the Gullotta House has awarded a dozen scholarships ranging from $250 to $1,000 to Ossining High School seniors who’ve matriculated to various universities, including Gettysburg, Marist, SUNY Buffalo, Northeastern, SUNY Purchase, Fashion Institute of Technology, and the University of Rhode Island, among others.

As you know, children are our greatest assets. Sometimes a small moment or a helping hand at a pivotal junction can be the difference between continuing a positive path, standing still, or heading in the wrong direction. With our duck race, we raise funds with an eye towards building kinship among our community members and investing in local youth and their well-being.

Gullotta House is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local residents. In contrast to other charitable organizations, there is no reference to past income if at the moment a family is in need.

Gullotta House is partnering with St Ann’s to provide a Thanksgiving meal to members of our community. All who would like or are in need of a meal are invited to join us for the 2023 Thanksgiving dinner at St Ann’s school gym. This year’s festivities will be held on Sunday November 19th, from 1:30 – 5:00pm. In addition to providing 1,000 sit down meals, we will have grab and go meals available and will be delivering 500 meals to disabled or seniors throughout Westchester upon request. Donated turkeys can be dropped off at St Ann’s rectory from Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm.

Last November, Gullotta House hosted its 6th annual Turkeys for Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Ann’s Church in Ossining. This event provided a full meal for 397 veterans, seniors and residents facing hardship. Additionally, $1,250 in gift cards and over 300 turkeys were distributed to other needy families.

With the New York City job market, stellar K-12 education system, and beautiful Hudson Valley surrounding us, living in Westchester County is indeed something to be thankful for.  Our 968,000 residents enjoy  a median household income approaching $95K.  However, 9.44% of locals live below the poverty line which means that some 90,000 have daily financial challenges.  Then there are those who have acute situations such as a sudden illness or job loss that can create a need to figure out how to put food on the table or how to pay the next month’s rent.

There are charitable organizations that help many individuals but are limited to providing assistance to only those below a certain income level.  At Gullotta House, we have no such restriction and recognize that past earnings might not be relevant in a current situation.  We strive to help Westchester residents in need, regardless of past income.  Sometimes that can be a one-time or short-term cash gift.  Other times it could be fellowship, a hot meal, or nice night out or a combination of all three.

Thanksgiving is among the most beloved of all holidays when friends, old and new, can get together, share a meal, and express gratitude for the good things in their lives.  A well-cooked meal provided by loving hands can heal some rifts and get us to focus a little less on our troubles and to concentrate on other important things.

At Gullotta House, we are thankful to our many contributors, volunteers, advisors, suppliers and recipient for allowing us to do what we love – helping our neighbors in need.  Keep reading throughout our website to find out how to get involved as a donor or volunteer to enable our mission of neighbors helping neighbors.

TOTAL $54,386

ESCAPE FROM SING SING PLUNGE – OSSINING  $28,174

HEADLESS HORSEMAN PLUNGE – SLEEP HOLLOW $26,212

On February 18th, 2023 Gullotta House organized its 6th Annual Fundraiser diving into the Hudson River. Supporters of both plunge locations – Sleepy Hollow and Ossining – made a fun day into another milestone for Gullotta House. Community members, friends, organizations, businesses, and TEAMWORK resulted in our most successful event to date. We thank you all. 

Ossining narrowly edged Sleepy Hollow in the fundraising tally. As a result, Ossining was awarded a Recreation scholarship of $500. Congratulations Ossining.

Distribution of Funds

**All funds were distributed from January 1st, 2023, to March 1st, 2023** 

 1- Teams received $21,600:

• $675 Justin: Young Men’s Lyceum Club 
• $500 Andre Rainey: National Parents Organization 
• $500 Sleepy Hollow Football Boosters 
• $1,150 Delores: Team Matthias’ Fight against pediatric cancer 
• $500 RTA 
• $10,000 Red Team in memory of Ed Person: scholarship for his two young children 
• $1,305 Devin Kapica: Ossining Youth Sing Sing Lacrosse 
• $1,250 Jackie Cordia: Ossining Cheer Team 
• $2,000 Father Elvin: St. Ann’s Food Pantry 
• $375 SNARR 
• $300 Brent Gamble: Brielle Sky Foundation 
• $3,000 Mahopac family received a used car with 1 year’s insurance paid and renter’s insurance. Shout out to Legend Auto, Sleepy Hollow & Rey Insurance Agency, Sleepy Hollow 

2 -$10,000 for Gullotta House Fire & Flood Victims’ transitional housing.  Incredible effort and dedication by the following teams whose donations were used for our transitional housing initiative and to cover expenses: 

• $2,302 Dana Levenberg 
• $2,296 Eric Lebenson  
• $1,625 Tyler Valenti   
• $1,514 Robert Lustyik  
• $1,380 Devin Kapica    
• $1,001 Delores De Joy  
• $1,197 Aidan Nolan 
• $1,055 The Tasty Table 
• $881 Anthony Pullissio  
• $771 RTA: Perry DiNapoli, Jenna Thompson Roach, Ryan Smith 
• $745 Brian McElroy 
• $700 Justin: Young Men’s Lyceum Club   
• $500 Matthew D Gullotta  
• $365 Nicole Spruck 
• $375 Anthony Gullotta 
• $200 Los Andes Bakery – Jessica Mejias 
• $165 Noel Sanchez  
• $185 Samantha & Sherman 

3-$3,990 Scholarships : 

• $1,550 Tyler Valenti: Senior Sleepy Hollow High School 
• $1,200 Aidan Nolan: Senior Iona Prep 
• $875 Anthony Pullisso: Westchester Community College 
• $365 Nicole Spruck: Scholarship for a parent at Little Hands Little Feet Preschool  

4- $2,350 Westchester residents gift cards 

5- $513 Delivered meals from restaurants to Westchester families, seniors, and individuals facing hardships.  

6- $6,193 Signs, advertising, marketing, ads in River Journal, News 12 fire & flood victims commercial 

7- $2,000 Medical equipment for a Tarrytown resident and an Ossining resident  

8- $4,050 Supplies, food, bagpipers, shirts, and hoodies. Thank you to our suppliers:

• DJ Johnny G for entertainment at Escape from Sing Sing Plunge  
• DJ Esco for entertainment at Headless Horseman Plunge and the after party
• Sir Speedy & Blue Line for shirts and hoodies  
• Ossining Starbucks for free coffee 
• Scarduzio’s Deli for free hot chocolate   
• Los Andes Bakery for pastries and hot chocolate  
• Sleepy Coffee for coffee and banana bread 

9- $500 Ossining Recreation: scholarship for a resident in need 

 In total $54,386 was received in donations.  

After expenses for supplies, advertising, and marketing, Gullotta House gave back $40,953. The balance of $3,190 as of March 1, 2023, will be directed to Westchester County residents facing hardships.  

The Escape from Sing Sing Plunge will be held at Louis Engle Park Beach, Ossining on Saturday February 18, 2023  at 10am!  Plungers should arrive at 9:15am. To donate or become a sponsor click donate above.

Headless Horseman Plunge will be hosted later in the day at the beach at Kingsland Point Park, 299 Palmer Ave, Sleepy Hollow.  The plunge will be held on Saturday February 18, 2023  at 2pm! Plungers should arrive at 1:30pm. To donate or become a sponsor for the Headless Horseman Plunge click here.

Last year, we raised $50,000 at our 2022 plunge. Do you want to take the plunge or sponsor our bravest residents? You can contribute as an individual or join our roster of business sponsors.

Our fundraising goal is to exceed $50,000 and 50 participants towards helping Westchester families facing a hardship, regardless of income.

Each plunge registrant is tasked with raising a minimum of $75. For those participants who attract sponsorships or donations in excess of $125, they’ll get to memorialize their plunge with a long sleeve event shirt. For raising $250, participants will receive a customized hoodie.

Not to be outdone, we have sponsorships targets for contributors and local businesses:

1- $50 Friend of Gullotta House; Facebook Shout out
2- $250 Facebook logo ad in paper
3- $500 Facebook logo ad in paper and up to 3 minutes talk about business at Plunge
4- $1,000 All the above, logo on shirt, and company sign at Event.

To sponsor this event or a person click donate above.

Just like last year, everyone must wear sneakers or water shoes and sign a waiver. Costumes are not only allowed but also encouraged. We are taking pictures and videos to celebrate this 2022 fundraising kick off.

It is not too late to sponsor any one or more of our heroes below by making a donation. Alternatively, plan to join the merriment in 2022 by plunging in yourself and get your friends to cheer you on, contribute to your campaign, and pass you some hot chocolate to warm you up when you come back on shore.