7-15-2026 4:55pm

Rockland Gala Honors Volunteers from 14 From Across the County

The June 17 Hearts of Gold Gala hosted by Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland (CCCSR) was an enormous success, attracting over 220 people from across the county to acknowledge the hard work of volunteers and staff from the 14 parishes in Rockland County for their “hearts of gold.” The honorees were nominated by their respective Pastors for their dedication and commitment to their own 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. 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,” stated Stephen Papas, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland.

CCCSR has been assisting Rocklanders with food insecurity and housing issues for 30 years, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity. They have an on-site garden and food pantry to help ensure individuals receive the food they need as well as fresh produce for their meals. The money raised from the gala goes directly to help individuals and families in need across Rockland.

Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland Hearts of Gold Honorees are:

Victor And Aura Ramírez - The Holy Eucharist Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Suffern

Joseph Onativia - The Holy Eucharist, St. Catharine Of Alexandria Church, Blauvelt

Hernan Caceres & Christine Presotto - The Parish Of St. Paul And St. Ann, Congers/Nyack

Gigi Sico - St. Francis Of Assisi Church, West Nyack

Marge Donato - Church Of St. Augustine, New City

Kevin Garrison - St. Margaret Of Antioch Parish, Pearl River

Marie Gartner - St. Aedan Catholic Church, Pearl River

St. Peter’s Food Pantry - St. Peter And St. Mary Church, Haverstraw

Deacon George Albin - St. Gregory Barbarigo Parish, Garnerville

Zenaida & Thomas Tapia - Church Of St. Joseph And St. Boniface Parish, Spring Valley

Alex Flores - The Parish Of St. John Henry Newman, Tappan/Piermont

Mara Hauser - The Parish Of St. John Henry Newman, Tappan/Piermont

Gilbert “Gil” Giannini - St. Anthony Parish, Nanuet

Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland is an affiliate of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and is a not-for-profit 501c3 social service agency established in 1996 by the Catholic parishes of Rockland County. Through compassionate and professional case management, Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland assists individuals and families of all ages, from every race, and ethnic group from throughout Rockland County regardless of their religious affiliation. The organization’s focus is to provide the necessities of life, such as food, shelter and emergency assistance to those in need. 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. More information can be found at www.ccrockland.org or by calling (845) 942-5791.

In an average year CCCSR:

Provides 200,000+ meals through the Food Pantry to over 5,500 including over 6,800 children

Distributes 10,000 pounds of fresh vegetables to Food Pantry participants from the Community Garden of Love located on the property along with donated produce from Stoke’s Farms