Congratulations to our
2023 Philanthropy Day Award Recipients!
Presenting the 2023 Philanthropy Day Honorees! Please join us on Thursday November 9th to celebrate and acknowledge their contributions to our community.
Howard Hellman
Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist
Howard Hellman
Howard Hellman, a devoted third generation Rocklander, has forged a remarkable journey through education and entrepreneurship. He graduated from Ramapo High School in 1970 and went on to earn degrees from Rockland Community College in 1972 and the State University of New York at Oneonta in 1974. In 1970, Howard founded All Bright Electric, an enterprise that has grown to include 100 dedicated employees, serving a diverse clientele in sectors such as Institutional, Healthcare, Educational, Utility, Commercial, Multi-family, and Industrial markets. Expanding his horizons in 2000, he established Hellman Management, overseeing a vast portfolio of over 2,000 residential condominium units and commercial properties.
Howard’s deep commitment to community service has garnered him numerous awards, including the United Way Volunteer Appreciation Award, the Boy Scouts of the Hudson Valley Distinguished Citizen Award, and the Rockland Economic Development Corp Economic Development Award, to name a few. He actively engages with various not-for-profit organizations, serving as Vice Chair for Bridges and the RCC Foundation and holding positions on the boards of the Boy Scouts of the Hudson Valley, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity, among others. Past leadership roles include Chair of the YMCA and American Red Cross, as well as Captain of the Spring Hill Ambulance Corp. Howard is also a former President of the Nyack Rotary Club.
Within Rockland County, Howard is instrumental in shaping its future, serving as Chair of the Rockland County Industrial Development Agency and Vice Chair of the Workforce Development Board. Beyond his professional and community commitments, Howard finds joy in hobbies such as organizing, disc golf, jogging, hiking, and real estate. His personal life is enriched by his loving family, including his wife, Fran, and their two sons, James and Jason and his daughter-in-law, Jenna. He eagerly anticipates the arrival of a grandson this Fall.
Outstanding Nonprofit or Fundraising Professional
Julie Sadowski
Julie Sadowski, a long time Rockland resident, is the current Executive Director of the Rockland Community Foundation. Her career has spanned both the for profit and nonprofit sectors where she has focused on development, donor relations and marketing. Julie’s tenure within the Rockland County nonprofit community is strong, with past leadership roles at the Rockland County Office for the Aging, JCC Rockland, Center for Safety & Change and The Hudson Valley Children’s Museum. She has served as a co-facilitator of the Western Ramapo Collaborative and most recently is a Co-Chair of the Rockland Business Association Women’s Leadership Council and a member of the Jewish Federation of Rockland Community Council. She is also a graduate of Leadership Rockland (class of 2001/best class ever!)
A graduate of Hobart & William Smith College, Julie was a Geology major (yes, you read that correctly) who originally aspired to be a meteorologist. However, the jet-stream geared her towards a different professional path that included over 12 years in the photo industry (ILFORD Photo) where she served as Marketing Communications Manager. When her children were young, Julie decided to pursue work in the nonprofit sector, where she could enjoy more flexibility (to be with her children) and pursue a more meaningful line of work.
Her personal passions include reading, skiing, laughing and gardening. A graduate of Suffern High School, Julie still resides in Suffern with her husband John and facially gifted dog, Harley. She has two caring and accomplished children, her daughter Alix and son Mike.
Volunteer
Christine Elder
Christine Elder is affectionately known as Mom, Grandma, G’ma, Nana, Sis, Auntie, friend and to her church family, Mother Christine. She manages to fulfill the many different roles daily and at times, simultaneously. She has been described as compassionate, generous and faithful, with a willingness to help those in need. Born in Virginia, she relocated to New York as a young adult and has been part of Rockland County’s community for over 60 years. Led by God, she joined pastor Teresa Darden’s Upper Room House of Worship where she has been a true blessing and dedicated member for more than seven years.
Christine saw there was a need for more volunteers and prayed about it. Once again, God moved her to action. She didn’t turn away from the task. Instead, she rolled up her sleeves and became fully engaged. Inspired by Matthew 25: 35 (NIV) “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in….” Christine made the decision to dedicate her life and time to ensure the well-being of others. She serves an integral role in the maintenance of the food pantry, as well as the weekly distribution of food and household staples to countless needy individuals within the community. During Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons, she can be found busily handling out gifts, food and supplies to children and their families.
Galatians 6: 9 (NIV) states, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap harvest if we do not give up.” Christine Elder, set apart and led by God, has yet to grow tired and is certainly not ready to give up on helping her community.
Ben Gorsky
Ben Gorsky is a senior at Clarkstown High School South and has worked with Jawonio since 2021. He first began working with Jawonio when introduced by the Cornell Cooperatives Teen Leadership Rockland non-profit night. Through this event, he was introduced to Diana Hess. Once co-founding “Student Hometown Heroes from Jawonio,” he and his team began a crewneck fundraiser to help support Jawonio’s Early Intervention program. He continues to work with Jawonio, most recently organizing a tricky tray fundraiser for the 2023 Jawonio Bowlathon. Ben would like to thank Diana Hess and the team at Jawonio for all of their help in supporting “Student Hometown Heroes for Jawonio” and helping to making such success possible!
Philanthropy
Audrey Gillies
Audrey Gillies is a 17 year-old resident of Bardonia and a high honor roll senior at Clarkstown South High School. Audrey was always drawn to community service and began donating her time at a young age to organizations such as United Hospice of Rockland and St. Francis of Assisi Church. In 2021, Audrey took a special interest in Jawonio’s mission during a presentation given at the Cornell Cooperative’s Teen Leadership Rockland non profit night, where she was introduced to Diana Hess. Inspired by their interaction, Audrey co-founded Jawonio’s “Student Hometown Heroes” fundraising program, where she designed and sold sweatshirts to benefit the organization’s Early Intervention Program. This effort alone raised close to $2,000 for the program. Audrey has continued to work tirelessly co-leading the Student Hometown Heroes team, including running the tricky tray for their highly successful, annual Bowlathon event. Audrey would like to thank Diana Hess and the entire team at Jawonio for making this opportunity possible, and for all of their guidance throughout the years.