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Family & Community Services Raises $75K From North Salem Benefit

PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. – Putnam Family & Community Services (PFCS), the only private, not-for-profit agency providing licensed counseling and treatment for mental health and substance abuse in Putnam County, drew more than 200 guests and raised a record-breaking $75,000 on Friday, Oct. 17, for the organization’s annual dinner-dance benefit at the Salem Golf Club in North Salem.

From left: Diane Russo, executive director, Putnam Family & Community Services, Stacey Gibson, Susan and Steve Salomone, co-founders, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, Katrina Christiansen and Carol Christiansen, co-founder, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard.

From left: Diane Russo, executive director, Putnam Family & Community Services, Stacey Gibson, Susan and Steve Salomone, co-founders, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, Katrina Christiansen and Carol Christiansen, co-founder, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard.

Photo Credit: Contributed
From left, Diane Russo, executive director, Putnam Family & Community Services, Susan and Steve Salomone, co-founders, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, and Terence Murphy, candidate for New York State Senate

From left, Diane Russo, executive director, Putnam Family & Community Services, Susan and Steve Salomone, co-founders, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, and Terence Murphy, candidate for New York State Senate

Photo Credit: Contributed

The funds were raised in support of the mental health and chemical dependency treatment programs of PFCS, which reaches 1 in 12 residents in the community. 

“The overwhelming success of this year’s event speaks volumes,” said Diane Russo, executive director, Putnam Family & Community Services.

“Amidst the heroin epidemic that is hitting our region, community advocates and supporters came out en masse to support Drug Crisis in Our Backyard and PFCS’ part in the fight against drug addiction and associated mental health issues. Thankfully, the money they have helped us raise will enable us to continue our work assisting Putnam residents.” The event honored Drug Crisis In Our Backyard Co-Founders with the First Sid Gibson IMAGINE Award, in memory of the agency’s longtime patron and advocate, the late Sid Gibson of Garrison. PFCS established the annual IMAGINE Award to celebrate those who have dared to imagine a world where everyone has hope for wellness and recovery. PFCS’ first honorees, Steve and Susan Salomone and Lou and Carol Christiansen, were recognized at the event for their tireless work to drive awareness for intervention and prevention in the face of the current drug crisis.

"It is the intention of our organization to keep spreading the word that addiction is a disease and recovery is possible,” said Susan Salomone, co-founder, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard.

Carol Christiansen, co-founder, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard also commented on being honored. 

“We were honored by the support of so many, and very proud to receive the first Sid Gibson Imagine Award."

 

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