WHITE PLAINS—Despite COVID restrictions that were put into place last spring, volunteers for the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation still managed to lend a hand to seven charities throughout the Hudson Valley during 2020.
At Food Bank of the Hudson Valley employee instructs HGRF volunteers on packing food supplies.
HG Realtor Foundation Program Committee Chair Gail Fattizzi, who also serves as the 2020 HGAR President, is hopeful that 2021 will see a significant decrease of the virus in our region, allowing for more volunteer opportunities. “I was thrilled to see the level of enthusiasm, and the number of volunteers who came out this year, eager to help our local non-profits in any safe way possible,” said Fattizzi.
HGRF volunteers working to clear trails at Blue Mountain in Peekskill.
In November, volunteers helped with packing shelves and grocery bags for People to People, Rockland County’s largest food pantry, as well as the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, serving six counties in the region. Like other indoor volunteer events, social distancing was in place, along with wearing of masks and gloves.
The volunteers were also able to work outside this spring, summer and fall with Habitat for Humanity, Green Chimneys and the Westchester Parks Foundation.
The total 2020 volunteer venues included:
Caritas of Port Chester
Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in Cornwall-on-Hudson
Green Chimneys in Brewster
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh
People to People in Nanuet
Ronald Mc Donald House in Valhalla
Westchester County Parks Foundation at Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill and Twin Lakes Park in Eastchester
Amanda Martinez, HGRF Event organizer at Food Bank of the Hudson Valley
In addition to offering volunteer services for Hudson Valley charities and non-profit organizations, the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation also raises funds annually to support these and other local organizations.
Since 2014, the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation has donated thousands of dollars to charities and non-profits throughout the Hudson Valley. As concerned members of the communities we work in, the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation participates in qualified community-based charities that serve the housing, hunger, health, happiness, and humane needs of citizens everywhere.
For more information or to apply for funding from the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation, please visit: www.hgrealtorfoundation.com.