College of New Rochelle, Mariano Rivera Donate Backpacks

The Mariano Rivera Foundation, the College of New Rochelle and the Heavenly Productions Foundation last month teamed up to distribute 500 backpacks to local children during an event at Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle.

The backpacks were donated by the two foundations and others. The Heavenly Productions Foundation was founded by CNR alum Kathy Reilly Fallon to help children in need, and Refuge of Hope Church was founded by Rivera and his wife Clara, who is the pastor there.

“We were so pleased to partner with Refuge of Hope Church to provide much needed school supplies to the children of New Rochelle and welcome the involvement of alum Kathy Reilly Fallon in this good work,” said CNR President Judith Huntington in a statement.

This most recent event is one of several that demonstrate the strong sense of partnership the College has shared with the Riveras over the last few years to recognize and advance their charitable work.

In 2014, the College awarded Mariano Rivera an honorary degree in appreciation for his commitment to humanitarian causes through his church and the Mariano Rivera Foundation, which Mariano and his wife founded in 1998 to provide health, vocational, and educational programs to underprivileged children. Last year, the College also inaugurated the Mariano Rivera Scholarship and later this month will award the full scholarship for the second time to local student Gianella Solorzano, in recognition of her academic record and outreach work in her community.

“Many people know Mariano Rivera as the greatest closer in baseball, but I have had the privilege to get to know him as an extraordinary model of someone determined to make an impact by dedicating his gifts and talents to helping others less fortunate,” said Huntington.

“Heavenly Production and The College of New Rochelle share the same mission of serviam (I will serve). It emphasizes our willingness to love others and serve God by helping those in need,” said Fallon. “As a 1990 graduate of CNR, I’m so proud to partner with my alma mater on a project such as this that helps so many children.”

In addition to their participation at the event in New Rochelle, Heavenly Productions Foundation’s annual backpack/school supply outreaches have helped 5,500 children both locally and globally. The Foundation also partners with CNR’s Campus Ministry annually to stuff new teddy bears and deliver these bears to children in need or who are ill in hospitals.

Photo: From left, The College of New Rochelle President Judith Huntington (third from left) and Mariano Rivera (center) with CNR students and staff at the Backpack Giveaway event. Photo credit: The College of New Rochelle