HG Realtor Foundation Volunteers Provide Landscaping And Outdoor Painting at Green Chimneys in Brewster

BREWSTER—Wearing masks and gloves, a small group of Realtors from the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation recently volunteered their time to do some landscaping and painting work outside at Green Chimneys in Brewster.

Founded in 1947, Green Chimneys is a multi-faceted nonprofit organization that helps young people maximize their full potential by providing residential, educational, clinical and recreational services in a safe and supportive environment. Green Chimneys is headquartered on a farm and wildlife center in Brewster that nurtures connections with children’s families, the community, animals and nature.

Green Chimneys is also recognized as a worldwide leader in animal-assisted therapy and educational activities for children with special needs. Services include an accredited special education school on two campuses; residential treatment center; nature-based therapeutic programs; community-based support for youth and families and public education and recreation opportunities for all ages.

HG Realtor Foundation volunteers paint the fence at the Green Chimneys farm in Brewster

Along with forcing a temporary halt to so many other social events, the pandemic also affected HGRF’s volunteer program this year. “Fortunately, because this was an outdoor event, we were able to proceed, while still using precautionary measures for safety,” said Gail Fattizzi, HGAR President and Chair of the HGRF Program Committee. “It is our hope that we will be able to continue our vital volunteer work for the remainder of 2020, while planning more events for 2021, as more organizations begin to open up their doors again to volunteers.”

Green Chimneys offers day and residential programs for students who have been unsuccessful in traditional education environments and who benefit from a small, structured and supportive setting. The farm is home to more than 200 animals such as horses, sheep, goats, chickens, dogs and other domesticated animals accustomed to living with people. Non-domesticated species such as eagles, hawks and owls live in the wildlife center. Green Chimneys also provides comprehensive support services to at-risk, runaway, homeless, and foster care youth and families in crisis within Putnam County.

The HG Realtor Foundation is part of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, a not-for-profit trade association representing more than 13,000 real estate professionals in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange counties, as well as the Bronx and Manhattan. It is the second largest Realtor association in New York, and one of the largest in the country.