Hudson Valley Women’s Association awards held
Cheerfully willing.
Routinely help.
Actively involved.
Worked tirelessly.
Leads initiatives.
A strong need to serve.
Spent countless hours.
Answered the call.
Proud of his service.
Those are direct quotes from the biographies of the nine people who were honored by the Hudson Valley Women’s Association & Friends (HVWAF) at its 21st annual ‘People Who Make a Difference’ recognition breakfast, held Saturday at the West Point Club.
The event honored two ‘Rising Stars’, Nick Jones and Jordan Fox; four local women, Dee Moreno, Sallie Dorsch, Arla James and Mary Jane Pitt; one elected official, Assemblyman Chris Eachus; one Westchester County resident, Tasha Young; and one Highland Falls native, Derek Hunter.
Ann Molina, president of the HVWAF, and John Hunter, also a Highland Falls native who now lives in Florida, but returns every year to host the breakfast in his role as co-founder of the organization. Assisting in the presentation of county and state awards were Orange County Legislator Laurie Tautel and Senator James Skoufis’ Director of Communications Valerie Best, and offering the invocation and benediction was Pastor Agnes Saffoury, from the Town of Highlands Clergy Association. Grace Flynn, the daughter of American Legion Commander John Flynn and a SUNY Purchase student, provided the musical entertainment, with her violin.
“Do all the good that you can, for as many people as you can, in as many ways as you can, for as long as you can,” Hunter said in opening the ceremony, quoting John Wesley and welcoming all. “The people in this room are very special for a lot of different reasons.”
About the honorees:
Sallie Dorsch: The founder of the United Highlands Youth Group, vice president of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, and operator of the Sacred Heart Parish food pantry was presented her award by Tautel. The two worked closely together in the aftermath of the July 9 flooding. Dorsch deflected credit for the honors she has received in that post-flood work to her “team”, an ever-growing group of community residents who have joined efforts to improve the community in a variety of ways.
Dee Moreno: A relative newcomer to community events in Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery, Moreno was also given her award from Tautel. Moreno is the president of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and has spent the last several years, since the death of her husband, to making life better for everyone around her. She says that work has helped her cope with the loss of her family, and credited her family for their support in all she does.
Assemblyman Chris Eachus: Eachus, a retired teacher and former Orange County legislator, is in his first term as a NYS Assemblymember. He was honored for his dedication to serving the communities that he represents, including spending many hours in Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery after last summer’s flooding. He was presented with his award by Highlands Town Supervisor Bob Livsey, who thanked him for not only fighting for the community, but also rolling up his sleeves and doing manual labor.
Tasha Young: Young’s daughter, Yakira, presented her mother with this award, calling her someone who gives her all to whatever endeavor she is working on. She’s the president of P31 Partners, Inc. in Westchester County, advising clients on everything from DEI best practices to business management to policy making. She is also president of the Good Policy Institute.
Arla James: A native of the Philippines, James has been employed by the West Family for several decades; retired Col. Holly West presented her award, telling the story of how James became a U.S. citizen in 2014. She is a Highland Falls firefighter, having been named Firefighter of the Year in 2019. She coordinates many fundraising and community events for the HFFD, as well as volunteers for organizations and in helping individuals in any way that she can.
Derek Hunter: Hunter, currently an educator, actor and poet, is a former standout Highland Falls High School basketball player, and a longtime coach of girls basketball in his now hometown of Memphis, Tenn. He’s known to newer community residents for his performance as Frederick Douglass at last year’s Juneteenth ceremony in Highland Falls. He is a minister at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis. Two of his grandchildren, Camayiah Hampton and Joshua Patterson, presented his award.
Mary Jane Pitt: The editor of The News of the Highlands and The Cornwall Local was presented with her award from Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps Capt. Jeff Gathers. The plaque she received said: “In recognition of your professional services to the Town of Highlands residents through the comprehensive and sensitive reporting and sharing the events of their lives, and for the continuous volunteer hours supporting individuals, multiple community grounds and organizations.”
Jordan Fox: Fox, was presented her honor by Tautel, who thanked her for not only her work with Community Connections, a local organization which promotes all-inclusive activities for community young people, but also for her post-July 9 flood work in helping a resident recover from the damage to her home.
Nick Jones: While Tautel presented his award, Molina took a few minutes to personally thank Jones for his always volunteering with a smile whenever he is asked. Jones also did considerable work after the July 9 floods, even with the Team Rubicon volunteer crews that came to the community. Most recently he was a help to the Chamber of Commerce in ‘personally escorting’ the Easter Bunny to an event at the Highland Falls Library.
For information on how to join the HVWAF, contact Molina at 845-446-5983 or email hvwaf@aol.com. The group meets at The Center, 264 Main St., Highland Falls, on the third Fridays of March, June, September and December.
