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Briarcliff's Clear View School Raises $70,000 At Gala

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. -- Briarcliff Manor’s Clear View now has enough money to replace its antiquated heating system thanks to its recent Feels Like Home gala.

Honorary chairwoman Vanessa Williams and Charles F. Devlin, executive director of The Clear View School in Briarcliff,  pause for a photo at the school's "Feels Like Home" fundraiser.

Honorary chairwoman Vanessa Williams and Charles F. Devlin, executive director of The Clear View School in Briarcliff, pause for a photo at the school's "Feels Like Home" fundraiser.

Photo Credit: Katarina Sudit
From left, Helen Williams; Priscilla White, Jennifer Choy-Kee, Vanessa Williams, honorary chairwoman of the gala; Clare Keenan and executive director, Charles Devlin. Helen Williams is the actress/singer's mother.

From left, Helen Williams; Priscilla White, Jennifer Choy-Kee, Vanessa Williams, honorary chairwoman of the gala; Clare Keenan and executive director, Charles Devlin. Helen Williams is the actress/singer's mother.

Photo Credit: Katarina Sudit
Glass dishes and other artwork made by students at The Clear View School in Briarcliff Manor are displayed at its recent "Feels Like Home" gala.

Glass dishes and other artwork made by students at The Clear View School in Briarcliff Manor are displayed at its recent "Feels Like Home" gala.

Photo Credit: Audrey Warn

The 50-year-old school for children with emotional and mental disabilities was able to raise $70,000 at the Sunday event.

One of the things the funds are likely to be used for is a new boiler, which some think may be original to the school’s 100-year-old building on Albany Post Road. A new boiler, for a structure that size, costs more than $50,000.

“This will go a long way to helping our students,” said Audrey Warn, the school’s development coordinator.

The school is, she added, “so grateful to all who have supported us and believe in” its mission.

Westchester’s own Vanessa Williams was honorary chairwoman of the event held at The Briarcliff Manor.

The actress, singer and designer was born in the Bronx but grew up in the New Castle hamlet of Millwood. Her parents, Helen and Milton Williams, were both educators.

Williams sang the school’s unofficial theme song, “Feels Like Home,” and mingled with the guests.

Artwork made by Clear View students was on display.

Guests also enjoyed cocktails, food, a raffle and a silent auction.

The school says it offers children a fully integrated academic and therapeutic treatment program that “intensely” involves families and is delivered in a day treatment model.

The school was originally a private educational facility for the children of Frank and Narcissa Vanderlip and the children of their wealthy neighbors.

Vanderlip was a financier who overcame a tough childhood to become the architect of our country’s central bank.

For more information about Clear View and its programs, click here.

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