MAKING PHILANTHROPY IN ROCKLAND A WAY OF LIFE

Rockland Development Council celebrated its 15th Annual Rockland Philanthropy Day Awards Breakfast on Nov. 6. More than 350 people gathered at the Crowne Plaza in Suffern to celebrate the County’s nonprofit organizations and the people who give their time, knowledge and financial support to make Rockland County a great place to live and work. The keynote speaker was 14-year-old Lauren Shields, a Stony Point resident and heart transplant recipient. Lauren is a champion in the Organ Donation movement and successfully had a law passed here in New York State that bears her name – Lauren’s Law – that makes it mandatory to answer the organ donor question on the DMV form when you register or renew your license. The event culminated with the presentation of the Rockland Development Council’s 2014 Awards for Outstanding Philanthropist, Volunteer, Corporate Leadership and Non-Profit Professional of the Year. Photographed are (L-R) Paul Trader, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension and Chair of the Institute for Nonprofits — Outstanding Nonprofit Professional; Donna J. G. Riley — Outstanding Volunteer; Lauren Shields; John and Ilse Lang — Outstanding Philanthropists, and Mercedes-Benz of Nanuet’s Rich Hesse with his son — Outstanding Corporate Leadership.