Our Story

When the time came for me to choose what I would do as my volunteer project for my Bar Mitzvah, I started thinking about my choices. I really wanted to do something special and original; the idea of donating to our neighborhood synagogue or to nameless kids in conjunction with a large foundation was uninspiring. That’s why when my dad, Robert, approached me with the idea to donate laptops to students in nearby Port Chester, I jumped on the idea.

I decided I would contribute a portion of my gifts in order to donate five new laptops to financially-challenged college-bound seniors at Port Chester High School. My dad and I both agreed that we really wanted to reward students who showed high levels of academic performance as well as service to their school and community, in spite of their financial difficulties and other personal challenges. These students would show that in their futures, they were destined for success, despite the obstacles. That’s why I came up with the name To The Top with Laptops.

Initially, we planned to donate the laptops in one isolated instance. The awards night in the spring of 2006, however, changed our minds. We were not only extremely impressed with the scholarship winners, but were overwhelmed with the responses and appreciation the students and school administrators showed for our donation. Thus, we decided to make To The Top with Laptops a continuing scholarship program. My parents, Robert and Bea Drechsler, began soliciting funds from outside sources to expand the program, and together we held our first fundraiser in May, 2008.

As a result, we were able to expand the program to three schools in 2008, four schools in 2009, and five schools in each of 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, as well as provide a new laptop to a member of the FC Westchester soccer program. We have, to date, awarded new laptops to 146 graduating high school seniors in Westchester County who were on their way to college. Through To The Top with Laptops, students receive much more than a laptop computer; they are reminded that their hard work will not go unnoticed. We would love to give this scholarship to as many deserving students in Westchester County as possible.

Alex Drechsler,Co-Founder

The To The Top with Laptops scholarship program is organized and run by Robert and Bea Drechsler and their two children, Alex and Laura. Robert and Bea, who met in 1987 while both attending Harvard Law School, married in 1989. Prior to forming their own commercial real estate boutique law firm, Drechsler & Drechsler LLP, in 2007, Bea worked for 17 years as an associate and then a partner in the Real Estate Department at Kaye Scholer LLP, a large international law firm. Prior to 2007, Robert worked as an associate and then a partner in the Corporate Department at Pryor Cashman LLP, a mid-sized New York based law firm, was an executive with a large fast food franchisee and was and is an investor in multi-family residential properties in New York City. Alex is currently attending Brown University. Laura is currently attending the Blind Brook High School. The Drechslers also have a poodle named Peggy and a maltipoo named Molly.