'Hearts of Gold': Rockland County Gala Honors Parish Volunteers, Staff

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A special event helped show gratitude for those who are giving back in the community.

Rockland County parish members gathered June 17 for the Hearts of Gold Gala, where Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland honored volunteers and staff from 14 parishes across the county. According to Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland, more than 220 people attended the event to recognize honorees nominated by their pastors for dedication to parish ministry.

"This event truly speaks to the essence of Catholic Charities Community Services – people in the community lending their time and talents to help others," Stephen Papas, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland, said. "We are proud to help recognize these dedicated individuals who do so much for others across the county. This event, in its fourth year, is now a tradition that we look forward to continuing."

Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland said it has assisted Rocklanders with food insecurity and housing issues for 30 years, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity. The organization said money raised from the gala goes directly to help individuals and families in need across Rockland. It also said it operates an on-site garden and food pantry to help provide food and fresh produce.

The organization is an affiliate of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and a not-for-profit 501c3 social service agency established in 1996 by the Catholic parishes of Rockland County. According to the organization, its programs include information and referral, general case management, homelessness and eviction prevention, emergency financial assistance, nutritional outreach and education, a food pantry, and immigration legal services.

Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland recognized Hearts of Gold honoreesVictor and Aura Ramírez of The Holy Eucharist Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Suffern, Joseph Onativia of The Holy Eucharist, St. Catharine Of Alexandria Church in Blauvelt, Hernan Caceres and Christine Presotto of The Parish Of St. Paul And St. Ann in Congers/Nyack, Gigi Sico of St. Francis Of Assisi Church in West Nyack, Marge Donato of Church Of St. Augustine in New City, Kevin Garrison of St. Margaret Of Antioch Parish in Pearl River, Marie Gartner of St. Aedan Catholic Church in Pearl River, St. Peter’s Food Pantry of St. Peter And St. Mary Church in Haverstraw, Deacon George Albin of St. Gregory Barbarigo Parish in Garnerville, Zenaida and Thomas Tapia of Church Of St. Joseph And St. Boniface Parish in Spring Valley, Alex Flores and Mara Hauser of The Parish Of St. John Henry Newman in Tappan/Piermont, and Gilbert “Gil” Giannini of St. Anthony Parish in Nanuet.

In an average year, the organization said, it provides more than 200,000 meals through its food pantry to more than 5,500 people, including more than 6,800 children, distributes 10,000 pounds of fresh vegetables, receives support from more than 40 volunteers and prevents more than 100 households from losing shelter.