8th Annual Woman's Club Boutique Benefits Rye Children

The Woman's Club of Rye is only one day away from its eighth annual "Designing Women of Rye and Beyond" fundraiser at the to support a host of children's programs, grants and scholarships.

"Designing Women of Rye and Beyond" boutique is Wednesday, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Apawamis Club in Rye. Admission is free and raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 or 8 for $20. The event also includes "Girls Night Out" from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. featuring a cash bar and special gift bags.

"We really try to help different organizations," said Barbara Cavicchio of the Woman's Club of Rye. "It's important to get the word out so people can come out and support this great event [and] we can continue to support all these wonderful groups."

'All those wonderful groups' is an understatement. Cavicchio said the proceeds from the boutique will be distributed to a host of philanthropic projects for children.

"All the proceeds from our fundraising events are distributed as grants to organizations," explained Cavicchio. "Sometimes the grants distributed are in the forms of scholarships to help families in need, such as camp scholarships at the or . Sometimes the grants directly support a children's program that is not based on a financial need, such as the Teacher in the Library at , 's teen center, educational programs at the and or the Kindergarten program at the ." 

But Cavicchio wasn't finished. "We also distribute Thanksgiving grocery gift cards and holiday presents to the less fortunate in the community and present two high school seniors with awards based on the student's community service to the children in the community."

Event co-hosts Helene Byrnes and Susanne D'Ariano have brought together 35 vendors with unique wares for the boutique which also includes a prize raffle. Participating vendors will donate 20 percent of their profits to the cause as well.

During the rest of the year, the Woman's Club hosts other fundraising events such as Fall Family Portraits at the Rye Nature Center or , an annual Rug Sale and the annual Halloween Window Painting and Bake Sale.