Orange County Human Rights Commission to honor local standouts

| 05 Mar 2014 | 11:12

The 19th Annual Orange County Human Rights Commission Awards dinner on April 10 will honor six community-minded individuals who have all worked to build better relationships among diverse people and encourage them to participate in community life on an equal basis. The six honorees are:

Glenn and Susan Dickes of Warwick, retirees whose volunteer work shows a commitment to reducing hunger in their community, laying the foundation of a more level playing field.

Just last month, the couple matched dollar for dollar a "Pennies for Food" campaign by the Warwick Valley School District and the PTAs.

Students were given the task of collecting at least 100 pennies to be donated to the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry.

The student effort and the matching contribution from the Dickes totaled $20,000 for the food pantry.

Patricia Fayo of Newburgh, who works tirelessly to help others improve their present and their future and aids single mothers and families to access the programs designed to meet their needs.

Daniel Hutting of Montgomery, who helps people with disabilities gain and sustain independence through his work as program manager of Independent Living Inc.

The Rev. Stephen Ruelke of Newburgh, who serves the spiritual and material needs of homeless and otherwise marginalized women and men in the City of Newburgh.

Amado Valdes of Middletown, an octogenarian who helps individuals who suffer from serious and persistent substance-use disorders at Restorative Management Corp. and aids individuals leaving prisons in their integration back into the community.

Essential information
The Human Rights Commission’s 19th annual award dinner will be held at The Fountains of Middletown. Dinner chairs are Daniel McMann and Kara Dorsey.

The dinner price is $46.
Reservations must be made by March 31.

The reservation form can be downloaded from the Human Rights Commission Web site on the County of Orange web page at www.orangecountgov.com.

Call the Human Rights office at 845-615-3680 for further information.

The Orange County Human Rights Commission, established in 1970, has a mission to serve Orange County residents by fostering mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious, and nationality groups in the county. For 19 years, the commission has recognized individuals, businesses, and agencies who work to advance human rights in Orange County.