Dae Vitale
By Dae Vitale
Greetings from River City. If you are looking for heroes, look around you. They’re family members, neighbors and strangers. They are the people who take care of their families, often by working at jobs that are hard or difficult, taxing heart, mind, body or spirit, but they do it every day and love their families, even in difficult times.
They are the ones who lend a hand where a hand is needed. Indeed, we can see the heroes in our midst if we look for them.
Downing Park Conservancy Gala
Join the Downing Park Conservancy on October 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Silk Factory, 299 Washington Street, for an evening of light bites, drinks, live music and the warm company of fellow park enthusiasts as they celebrate another year of loving and supporting Downing Park, a cherished green space at the heart of our community.
Admission tickets are $85 when purchased in advance online, compared with $100 at the door. Each ticket purchase contributes directly to the upkeep and enhancement of Downing Park.
Raffle tickets also will be available, featuring gift cards and artwork from local businesses. Raffle entries close at 7:45 p.m., with winners announced at 8:15 p.m. during the gala.
We are so very fortunate to have this beautiful park and to have community members of all ages who love it and care about this City of Newburgh enough to give of themselves to help preserve Downing Park’s beauty. Thank you, each and every one.
NFA Girls Soccer Fundraiser
The Newburgh Free Academy girls soccer team will hold its annual Flapjack Fundraiser on October 10 from 8 - 10 a.m. at Applebee’s, 1205 Route 300.
The fundraiser supports the NFA Girls Soccer Booster Club and helps these young athletes. Tickets are $10.
For tickets, contact Susan Claudio at 845-527-7003 or sue1315@aim.com. Applebee’s can be reached at 845-567-0910.
Cheryl WALKorRUN 5K
Community members, runners and supporters of health care education will gather Sunday, October 25, for the annual Cheryl WALKorRUN 5K at the Storm King Engine Company in Cornwall-on-Hudson.
The event is held in memory of Cheryl Walker, a Mount Saint Mary College alumna and faculty member. It brings together athletes, families and friends to raise funds for the Cheryl L. Walker Nursing Scholarship at the college, awarded annually to a student enrolled in the college’s nursing baccalaureate RN program.
Check-in and on-site registration begin at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K run and walk starting at 9 a.m. The event is open to participants of all ages and fitness levels, with the course winding through the scenic streets of Cornwall-on-Hudson.
The Storm King Engine Company is at 33 Hudson St.
In addition to the 5K, the family-friendly event features a kids’ fun run, live music, a complimentary breakfast for participants and an awards ceremony following the race.
Register at runsignup.com/Race/NY/CornwallOnHudson/CherylWalkorRun5K.
Runners, walkers, sponsors and community supporters are encouraged to register early to secure event amenities and guarantee entry.
Newburgh Trunk or Treat
The City of Newburgh, in collaboration with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, is looking for community members, city departments, school district staff, local organizations and businesses to help make the 2026 Trunk or Treat a spooktacular evening for local youngsters.
Host a trunk and join in for an evening of Halloween fun Wednesday, October 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Broadway between Johnston and Liberty streets. The rain date is Thursday, October 29.
For trunk registration and more information, visit the City of Newburgh Recreation Department’s online registration page. Candy donations also are welcome. Call the Recreation Department at 845-565-3230 to make a candy donation.
Quiet Co-Working at the Library
Need a quiet space to get some work done? Grab a table in The Hub at the Newburgh Free Library during quiet co-working hours every Friday.
The program runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main Library. Seating is first come, first served.
Prayer Request
Please keep 9-month-old Luna in your prayers. She has been hospitalized with a staph infection. Her parents, Christina and Oscar Fernandez, and their family are most grateful for every gift of prayer.
Baby Outreach Center
The Dominick Casadone Chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates the Baby Outreach Center every Tuesday morning at the Valastro Activity Center, located across from Sacred Heart School, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Current needs include diapers in sizes 4, 5 and 6; baby wipes; boys’ clothing in sizes 24 months through 5T; and girls’ clothing in sizes 9 months through 5T.
Each month, the center serves more than 100 families.
“Thanks to everyone from all the parishes who have donated to help continue our mission.”
Donations are always appreciated. Checks can be made payable to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and dropped off at the rectory. Online donations can be made through PayPal at stmotherteresanewburgh.com/svdp.
Blessing of the Animals
The Blessing of the Animals will take place Sunday, Oct. 11, at 3:30 p.m. in the St. Francis Prayer Garden.
All people and pets are welcome!
A Thought for the Week
Kindness is never wasted. It plants itself in the heart even if it seems not.
As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.