HG Realtor Foundation Donates More Than $21,000 To Hudson Valley Charities in Fourth Quarter of 2020

WHITE PLAINS—Charities and non-profit organizations from New Rochelle to Newburgh received $21,500 in donations from the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation during the fourth quarter of 2020.

Despite the COVID restrictions that severely curtailed live fundraising events, the Foundation was able to support almost 15 local organizations this year that are dedicated to helping those in need.

From left, Maryanne Tercasio, president, Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation; Matthew Arbolino, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh; Kerri Stretch, trustee, HG Realtor Foundation; and Ann Garti, COO, Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh recently received a check for $2,500 to help with its work of providing affordable housing for families in need. By the end of 2020, Habitat Newburgh will have completed more than 100 homes in one of the most distressed urban areas in the U.S.

“The Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation has been a tremendous supporter of our work for a long time. We have to recognize that considering all the challenges 2020 has brought, this year’s contribution is all that more special,” said Matthew Arbolino, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh. “We can’t thank the foundation enough for helping us in our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

Hillside Food Outreach in Elmsford was granted $2,000 to continue its support of individuals and families in need of food. Hillside volunteers provide home delivery of healthy and nutritious foods to more than 1,600 men, woman and children, who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to access local pantries in Westchester.

“We serve the elderly who must choose between medicine and food, and families who are struggling to make ends meet. We also feed their children and those with health issues who need better nutrition and healthier food,” said Anna LaRochelle, associate director of Hillside Food Outreach. “The donation from the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation will be used to purchase healthy food, which is delivered monthly to the individuals we serve.”

Feeding Westchester and the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley also received grants for maintaining their warehouses of food for distribution to other local food pantries. Both have experienced huge increases in requests since the start of the pandemic. HG Realtor Foundation volunteers have also been active with the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley throughout the year, helping to sort and pack grocery items.

From left, Terri Crozier, HG Realtor Foundation Committee; Crystal Hawkins Syska, HGAR President-Elect; Anna LaRochelle, associate director, Hillside Food Outreach; James Riina, Hillside Outreach Volunteer and Realtor and Robert Shandley, HG Realtor Foundation Committee.

HGAR Realtor and New Rochelle Police Detective Chris Greco and his wife, Tracy, also received a donation for their charity, Christopher’s Voice. The $1,000 check from the foundation will help them to continue providing financial assistance and support to struggling families with autistic children, as well as promoting public awareness, training and safety within the first responder community. The charity is named for their son, Christopher, who is now 13, but remains non-verbal.

“We are very humbled and appreciative of this very generous donation during a very difficult time,” said Greco, who is also a Realtor with Richard Greco Real Estate in the Bronx. “We will be sure to distribute it to those families impacted by autism that need it the most.” Greco was also honored for his charity work with the HGAR “Stephanie Crispinelli Humanitarian Award” in 2018.

Other organizations receiving donations this quarter included: Friends of Karen, providing emotional and financial support for children with life-threatening illness; Meals on Wheels of Rockland; Lifting Up Westchester, offering food and shelter for those in need; Rockland Recovery Homes; Sheltering the Homeless is Our Responsibility (SHORE); The Children’s Village, providing housing and education for at-risk youth; and Support Connection, offering support services for women with breast and ovarian cancer.

The HG Realtor Foundation will be reviewing new grant applications when it meets again in early 2021. To be considered for a grant, please visit www.HGRealtorFoundation.com and complete the application.
As concerned members of the communities we work in, the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation participates in qualified community-based charities who serve the housing, hunger, health, happiness and humane needs of citizens everywhere. The focus of the Realtor Foundation’s efforts will be in Manhattan, Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange counties.