The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement hosted their 33rd Annual Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner in Manhattan and presented three philanthropists with awards recognizing their commitment to the friars’ charism and mission.
Proceeds from the event will help support the friars’ ministries for the poor and individuals struggling with addiction. The dinner, which drew about 220 people, was held Friday, Oct. 2, at The Pierre Hotel. The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are based at Graymoor in Garrison.
The celebration brings together friends, supporters, and community leaders to honor individuals whose compassion, generosity, and service show the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement’s charism of reconciliation and At-One-Ment. The evening celebrates the friars’ mission and recognizes those whose commitment to the common good is making a lasting difference in the lives of others.
“Each and every one of us is called to be a messenger of hope,” Fr. Emil Tomaskovic, SA, minister general of the friars, said during the event, later expressing his gratitude to the award winners. “I would like to invite you all to come and visit Graymoor. Many of us like to think of this as being a fundraiser. I want to say that this is a friend-raiser…We invite you to come to beautiful Graymoor.” The dinner featured a video highlighting the friars’ ministries; it was followed by specialty desserts and dancing.
The award recipients
Margo Catsimatidis is a businesswoman, philanthropist, and community leader who co-manages the Red Apple Group alongside her husband John. She received the Graymoor Sharing Hope Award in recognition of her many years of extraordinary generosity, vision, and commitment to the good of others. The event program said: “Through her philanthropy, leadership and personal involvement, she has touched countless lives and organizations. Her legacy extends beyond financial generosity through the time, guidance and encouragement she has shared with the communities and causes she supports.”
In gratefully accepting the award, Margo Catsimatidis said, “This organization is what I live my life by – that I want to give back to people all the time. And I try to send that message to other people, that they give…It is truly an honor to receive the Graymoor Sharing Hope Award. And I am deeply grateful to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement for this very special recognition. And I accept with great humility, because this award is really about the people who inspire us to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Allan Pashcow is a prominent New York real estate executive. Louise Pashcow has a background in luxury retail procurement and buying. The couple received the Graymoor Award in recognition of their years of philanthropy, generosity, and unwavering commitment to charitable, cultural, and community organizations.
Allan Pashcow said, “We want to thank you for this extraordinary honor. We are deeply grateful to be recognized by an organization whose faith has been expressed through service for over 125 years, touching thousands upon thousands – touching their lives through dignity, compassion and hope. We’ve heard it all tonight. It’s been very heartfelt; you’ve seen the video – it’s quite touching…We are called to care for one another.”
Creative Challenge winners
The Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner also featured the announcement of the winners of the Graymoor Peace and At-One-Ment Creative Challenge, a competition that invited young adults to explore a Franciscan vision for the world today through visual art, writing, and film and media. The challenge expresses the friars’ commitment to encouraging a new generation to engage creatively with the ideals of peace, reconciliation, and At-One-Ment. The Creative Challenge winners were Erin Forsythe, art; Hannah Gonneville, writing; and Cecilia Doyle, media.