KEEPING THE M.A.G.I.C. ALIV

The Rockland County YMCA recently held its Night of M.A.G.I.C. at the Nyack Seaport to honor Jefferson and Alison Crowther of Upper Nyack for their exemplary community service and for Making A Genuine Impact on Children and young people through the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust.

The Crowther Family established the Welles Remy Crowther Trust in September 2001 to honor and keep their son’s memory alive through good works benefiting young people.  Welles Crowther is remembered as an excellent  scholar-athlete at Nyack High School and Boston College, and is famously known as “The Man in the Red Bandana” who gave his life to save many on 9/11.

Upon receiving the award Mr. Crowther said, ”Welles was a fully trained volunteer firefighter through the Empire Hook and Ladder Company #1 in Upper Nyack. When he responded to rescue people trapped in the World Trade Tower he was doing his job in a true spirit of volunteerism. After rescuing more than a dozen people he lost his life when the tower collapsed. Greater love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his fellowman.”

Welles loved the YMCA where he found fellowship and fun. During the summer he attended Camp Beckett and enjoyed playing basketball with his friends at the YMCA in Nyack. Mr. and Mrs. Crowther, together with their daughters Paige Crowther and Honor Crowther Fagan, have given leadership to the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust. Mrs. Crowther said, “We are proud to sponsor scholarships at Boston College and Nyack High School  and support many organizations including Rockland Symphony Orchestra’s Young Peoples Concert, Grace Episcopal Church, Nyack Hospital, Nyack Library and the Rockland County YMCA.”

The YMCA also recognized HSBC Bank for its generous support and their employees for excellent service. They have been Gold Sponsors for the Night of M.A.G.I.C. for the past five years.  According to Chuck Maze, YMCA CEO, “The Night of M.A.G.I.C. was a huge success to benefit our youth programs thanks to the Crowther Family and their friends, HSBC Bank and the generosity of our many sponsors, contributors, guests, staff and YMCA Benefit Committee members who supported this event.”

“We were pleased to have such a great turnout with more than 170 people attending to show their support for the Crowther Family and help raise funds for our YMCA youth programs,” commented Julie Prevost, Chair of the YMCA Benefit Committee.