County nonprofit holds gala at The Garrison

Putnam Family and Community Services (PCFS) celebrated its 15th birthday Friday evening (Nov. 9) with a dinner dance at The Garrison. The not-for-profit, Carmel-based agency had planned “Celebrating 15 Years of Hope and Recovery” with the hope of raising funds and achieving a higher profile on the west side of the county.

With well over 200 guests joining them for the event, the agency easily exceeded its own record for attendance. “It’s a much larger turnout than we’ve ever had,” said Diane Russo, the agency director.

In keeping with a tradition established in past benefit dinners, PCFS recognized two honorees at the event. Sheriff Donald Smith along with the entire Putnam County Sherriff’s Department were recognized for their “friendship, responsiveness and sensitivity towards people experiencing difficulties with mental health and substance abuse.”

Another honoree was an individual who has actually received services from PCFS. Michael T. DiMattina was honored for “the strides he has made in his own private journey, and for his passionate belief in recovery and his dedication to helping others achieve it.”

Besides dining and dancing to the music of Tony Merando and the Crossroads Band, there was a raffle and silent auction with items such as New York Giants tickets and passes to the Late Show With David Letterman at stake.

An informal survey of those attending suggested that PCFS has indeed gotten on the radar of those in the west side of the county, with a number of Cold Spring and Garrison residents taking part. And this event might have simply been the beginning of further outreach in this area. “We’re thrilled to be here,” said PCFS Benefit Committee Chair Kristin Burke.

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Articles attributed to "staff" are written by the editor or a senior editor. This is typically because they are brief items based on a single source, such as a press release, or there are multiple contributors, such as a collection of photos.

One reply on “Mental Health Agency Celebrates 15 Years”

  1. So glad to see the observation that “…this event might have simply been the beginning of further outreach in this area…”

Comments are closed.