The New York Community Trust partners with Friends of Kensico Cemetery

VALHALLA, NY – September 2026 – Friends of Kensico Cemetery will hold its annual fall 5K Run/Walk fundraiser on October 25, 2026, at Kensico Cemetery and Arboretum in Valhalla, NY. The event will benefit the Westchester Fund for Historic and Cultural Preservation, a charitable fund at The New York Community Trust launched in partnership with Friends.

The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and features a 3.1-mile run and a shorter 1.7-mile walking route through the cemetery and arboretum’s vast 460 acres, lined with century-old sycamores, oaks, and maples ablaze with autumn colors. Participants will enjoy a fully catered breakfast, medals for top finishers, and the chance to win raffle prizes and gift certificates.

The public is invited to participate as runners, walkers, contributors, or sponsors by visiting www.kensico.org/5k. The registration fee for runners/walkers is $50; for children 12 and under, it’s $15. Raffle tickets are only available for purchase with cash at the event.

The 5K will benefit the Westchester Fund for Historic and Cultural Preservation. The fund was established at The New York Community Trust, the local community foundation serving Westchester, New York City, and Long Island. Formerly known as The Westchester Community Foundation, The Trust’s Westchester office works with individuals, families, and businesses to support programs and projects that improve the lives of all New Yorkers. For over 100 years, The Trust has been a home for local philanthropy and an enduring resource to address community needs.

“Friends of Kensico Cemetery is a natural partner for this fund,” said Laura Rossi, vice president of The New York Community Trust in Westchester. “Their mission is aligned with preserving the histories and generational legacies of many Westchester families. The 5K is a place for people to come together to support this important cause, and what better time than our country’s 250th Anniversary to both look back and participate now to ensure that future generations can benefit from Westchester’s rich history and tapestry of cultures. We are deeply grateful to the Friends for this partnership.”
“We are proud to support this new fund in collaboration with The New York Community Trust,” said Matthew G. Parisi, president of Kensico Cemetery and Friends. “This is an important step forward in protecting the places, stories, and traditions that shape Westchester County.”

“Kensico Cemetery, and all cemeteries, play a unique role. They preserve the legacies and generational histories of families who have shaped their communities,” said Raymond Planell, secretary of Friends of Kensico Cemetery and former advisory board chair of The Trust’s Westchester office. “The New York Community Trust also has a unique role. As Westchester’s local community foundation, The Trust creates opportunities for people to support issues they care about and have an impact on our communities today and for many years to come. This fund is a wonderful example of this.”
Registration is now open. Visit kensico.org/5k for information on registration and sponsorship.

Friends of The Kensico Cemetery, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to preserving the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of Kensico and enriching public knowledge and appreciation through educational programs. Friends has expanded its mission to include philanthropic initiatives that support other Westchester charities that support the community.
The New York Community Trust is New York’s largest community foundation, serving New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. For more than 100 years, The Trust has brought together the local knowledge and diverse expertise of its team and nonprofit and philanthropic partners to support thriving and equitable communities and help donors champion our region and the causes they love. The Trust makes approximately $200 million in grants each year from its charitable funds set up by individuals, families, foundations, and corporations.