Robert McGrath acknowledging all after receiving the Rotary Lifetime Community Award
By Robert Warner
May 4, 2022: Groundwork Hudson Valley has been named a beneficiary by the Bronxville Rotary Club at the Annual Benefit Cocktail Party on April 22nd at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville NY. Rotarian Robert McGrath was honored with the Lifetime Community Service Award for his dedicated service to our community. The celebration comes after a two-year hiatus, which brings together Rotarians to benefit community organizations.
Bronxville Rotary President, Nicky Standard, in her opening remarks discussed how fitting this celebration to benefit Groundwork Hudson Valley was as it was Earth Day and it is our responsibility to protect our planet and that is what GHV is doing. New York State Assembly Member Amy Paulin and Westchester County Executive, George Latimer were on hand to kick off the remarks in celebration of Bob McGrath and Groundwork Hudson Valley. John Priesing, fellow Rotarian, introduced Bob and shared his wonderful personal story of the importance of family for Bob and how he came to coaching football for Bronxville High School for decades and for years sponsored the football dinner for the players which was the highlight of every season.
Bob was joined by all 5 of his kids in celebration of their dad. A former player from Bob’s coaching days, Tom Denniston came in from Rhode Island to celebrate with Bob and his family and shared wonderful memories of life with coach Bob and how there is a group of former players that still get together with Bob in the summer at the Cape. The tribute to Bob was capped off by Bronxville Mayor Mary Marvin who shared her own personal stories of Bob as a neighbor, community service member and friend. Bob received citations from State senator Shelly Mayer, who was unable to attend and a Certificate of Service from the Westchester County Executive.
Karen Tumelty, director of Development at Groundwork Hudson Valley introduced Brigitte Griswold, Executive Director of Goundwork Hudson Valley. Groundwork Hudson creates sustainable environmental change in urban neighborhoods through community based partnerships that promote equity, youth leadership, and economic opportunity. Each year this EPA authorized community group restores vacant properties, improves water quality in local streams, and builds trails, parks and playgrounds. Groundwork Hudson was instrumental in facilitating the uncovering of the Saw Mill River in downtown Yonkers.
Brigitte Griswold, Groundwork’s Executive Director, expressed her gratitude for the recognition and support, “We are so honored to be named as a beneficiary by the Bronxville Rotary Club whom we share similar values and mission. The work we do is strengthened by creating synergies with organizations such as Bronxville Rotary Club who, like us, are also problem-solvers in order to continue supporting climate vulnerable communities and finding solutions to environmental justice issues.”
The benefit helped raise over $20,000, which will help Groundwork Hudson Valley identify and address climate change and environmental issues at the community-level in Yonkers, NY.
Further donations to Groundwork Hudson Valley can be made online at www.bronxvillerotary.com or, by sending a check made out to Bronxville Rotary Foundation, noting Groundwork Hudson Valley in the comments section, and sent out to Bronxville Rotary Club c/o Nobile, Magarian & DiSalvo 111 Kraft Avenue, Bronxville, NY 10708.
For more information visit groundworkhv.org.
See photos from the event below.
John Priesing introducing Bob McGrath
Robert McGrath with Nicola Standard, Bronxville Rotary President
Tom Dennison who came down from Rhode Island to present Bob McGrath with a proclamation from the Governor of Rhode Island. Tom played football for Coach McGrath at Bronxville High School
Mayor Mary Marvin
Bronxville Rotary Club President Nicola Standard