Established in memory of Christine Verheyleweghen Thomas, a counselor at Minisink Valley High School, this fund supports suicide prevention initiatives. Scholarships may also be awarded. Christine Thomas Memorial Fund for Helping Others Scholarship
The Christine Thomas Memorial Fund for Helping Others Scholarship awards one (1) scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to a graduating senior from Minisink Valley High School who has demonstrated resilience in the face of hardship. Established in memory of Christine Verheyleweghen Thomas, a beloved school counselor, this scholarship honors her deep compassion for students and her unwavering commitment to supporting those facing difficult life circumstances.
This scholarship recognizes a “Life Achiever”—a student who has overcome a personal obstacle and emerged with strength, empathy, and a desire to help others.
Eligibility & Application Requirements
Applicants must:
Be a graduating senior from Minisink Valley High School
Submit a personal essay addressing the following:
A hardship or obstacle they have faced and how they worked to overcome it
How the experience has changed or shaped them, including any increased compassion for others
Their future hopes, plans, and dreams
Their post-graduation plans (workforce, two- or four-year college, trade school, professional program, or military service)
Their perspective on helping others and “paying it forward”
An example of a time they helped someone through a difficult situation
All essay responses will be kept strictly confidential.
Elizabeth Santiago has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Center for Safety & Change since 2015. Under her leadership, the Center, the sole victim assistance provider in Rockland County, New York, has significantly expanded its programs and financial sustainability. Notably, the organization’s annual fiscal budget has doubled, and for the first time, it implemented a five-year strategic plan to ensure long-term services for victims and survivors and the broader community.
An activist with over two decades of experience in social justice, Elizabeth is recognized for her expertise in domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and strategies to end gender-based violence. She is sought after nationally as an adviser and consultant, collaborating with federal, state and local agencies, businesses, policymakers and political leaders to develop legislation, service coordination and best practices. She is also a sought-after trainer and public speaker, featured in media such as PIX11 News, ABC7NY and Univision, discussing critical issues like domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
Elizabeth is actively engaged in shaping policy and community responses by her service on several prominent boards and councils, including:
Elizabeth has previously served on the New York State Office of Victim Services Advisory Council, the board of the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV), the board of Rockland County CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for children and the board of the Legal Aid Society of Rockland County.
Elizabeth?exemplifies leadership, innovation and community impact. From expanding her organization’s scale and securing multi-year strategic direction, to earning numerous prestigious awards—her professional story reflects a powerful combination of results-driven advocacy, respected expertise and transformative vision.
Elizabeth’s leadership has been recognized with several awards, including her induction into the NYS Women in Human Services Hall of Fame, the Rockland Bar Association’s Liberty Bell Award, the Nyack Center’s Woman of Leadership & Vision, the NYS Senate’s Woman of Distinction, the Rockland County Police Hispanic Society’s Hispanic Leader, the United Way of Rockland County’s Community Builder and Leader and most recently as an Advocate for Social Justice and Gender-Based Violence Prevention by the Nyack NAACP.
Elizabeth is a dual citizen of the Dominican Republic and United States. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston College and a Certificate in Non-Profit Sustainability from Cornell University. Elizabeth co-founded the Boston College Archbishop Oscar Romero Scholarship for students of Latinidad descent demonstrating a balance in academics and social justice community service. She is an alumna of Leadership Rockland’s class of 2007. She is a proud mother of three adult children.
Patricia Zugibe, CEO, and Jack Holt, Chairman, bring decades of construction, legal, development, and executive leadership to Holt Construction. Patricia joined Holt in 2014 as in-house counsel and has since led the company’s strategic growth, corporate governance, risk management, safety culture, and commitment to technology and innovation. With more than 30 years of experience, including service as Rockland County Attorney and Acting County Executive, she brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to leading Holt into its next chapter.
As a third-generation owner with more than four decades of leadership at Holt, Jack Holt has helped transform the company into one of the nation’s leading construction firms. He remains deeply committed to excellence, employee development, mentorship, and the long-standing relationships Holt has built with clients, trade partners, and the communities it serves. Together, Patricia and Jack provide strong, complementary leadership that honors Holt’s 107-year legacy while positioning the company for continued growth and innovation.
After receiving a lifesaving heart transplant as a child, Lauren made a decision that would shape the rest of her life: she would use her second chance to help give others theirs. What began as a young girl sharing her story grew into more than 15 years of advocacy, volunteerism, public service, and community outreach.
Lauren began speaking at Rockland County naturalization ceremonies, encouraging new citizens to register as organ and tissue donors. She later joined fellow advocates at schools, community events, hospitals, government programs, and donor registration drives throughout the region, helping to personally enroll thousands of people in the New York State Donate Life Registry.
At just 12 years old, Lauren’s advocacy helped inspire the passage of Lauren’s Law, New York State legislation requiring everyone applying for or renewing a driver’s license to answer the organ donor question. The law significantly increased donor registrations in New York.
By age 14, Lauren was already a keynote speaker at Philanthropy Day, sharing a message of gratitude, giving, and responsibility to others that would continue throughout her life.
Her service extended far beyond legislative advocacy. For years, Lauren volunteered with LiveOnNY, the New York Blood Center, and the American Heart Association. She organized and participated in blood drives, spoke publicly about the lifesaving importance of blood donation, visited patients in the hospital, educated families and communities about transplantation, and supported donor families as they honored loved ones whose gifts had saved others.
Eventually, advocacy became part of Lauren’s profession. After graduating from Dominican College, she joined LiveOnNY as a Community and Government Affairs Liaison, allowing her to turn a mission she had pursued since childhood into her life’s work. She represented LiveOnNY throughout the Hudson Valley, worked with elected officials and community organizations, participated in Donate Life Month programs and proclamations, coordinated donor-registration and awareness initiatives, and built meaningful relationships with transplant recipients and donor families.
Lauren also believed that community service meant responding to needs beyond her own experience. Through LiveOnNY, she helped organize the organization’s first Community Baby Shower in Rockland County, bringing together more than 20 community partners and donated necessities for expectant and new mothers in Spring Valley. She participated in community blood drives, memorial events honoring organ donors, and countless local programs where her goal was simply to connect people with resources, support and hope.
One of Lauren’s greatest gifts was her ability to make advocacy personal. She did not simply speak about organ donation, she spoke with people, listened to their stories, comforted transplant patients and donor families, and showed by example what gratitude could look like when transformed into service.
She faced challenges throughout her life that most people could never imagine, yet Lauren remained vibrant, funny, fiercely loyal, compassionate and extraordinarily generous. She never wanted to be defined by what happened to her. She wanted to be defined by what she could do for someone else.
Even while Lauren herself was once again waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant, she continued encouraging others to become donors and advocating on behalf of the thousands of people still waiting. And in her death, she remained true to the mission she had championed for most of her life, becoming a tissue donor and giving to others one final time.
Lauren’s life was far too short, but her service was remarkable. Lauren leaves behind a legacy that will continue to save and change lives for generations.
PayServ Payroll Solutions is a trusted provider of payroll and Human Capital Management solutions, proudly serving businesses throughout the Hudson Valley, New York metropolitan region, and across more than 40 states. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Rockland County, PayServ has built its reputation on combining innovative technology with personalized service and a commitment to helping businesses manage their most important asset, their people.
For more than four decades, PayServ has remained committed to the values on which the company was founded: integrity, exceptional service, innovation and a genuine commitment to its clients, employees and community. Its comprehensive payroll and HCM solutions help businesses streamline operations, maintain compliance and provide better experience for their employees.
PayServ’s commitment to service extends beyond its clients and into the community. As a longtime member of the Rockland County business community, the company actively supports nonprofit organizations and community initiatives through charitable giving, sponsorships, employee volunteerism and leadership. Its philanthropic efforts span a broad range of causes, including seniors, hunger and food insecurity, healthcare, mental health, support for individuals and families in need, animal welfare, arts and culture, education and workforce development.
PayServ also supports initiatives that strengthen the local workforce and create opportunities for individuals and businesses, including its ongoing involvement with the Workforce Development Board of Rockland County. Through these efforts, PayServ seeks to make a meaningful, lasting contribution to the communities where its employees, clients, and partners live and work.
PayServ believes that business success and community responsibility go hand in hand. The company’s longstanding commitment to both is reflected in its continued growth, its relationships with clients and employees, and its dedication to making a positive difference throughout Rockland County and the surrounding region.
Michael Seidenfrau is deeply committed to serving his community. Over the years, he has dedicated his time and leadership to numerous organizations, including Leadership Rockland, the Pearl River Rotary Club, the Congers-Valley Cottage Rotary Club, Rockland Road Runners, and the Center for Safety & Change, among others.
Michael’s commitment to helping others was further strengthened by a profound personal loss. Following the tragic passing of his daughter, Jordyn, Michael transformed grief into purpose by establishing the Jordyn Seiden Memorial Fund through the Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland. Through this initiative, he launched the inaugural 2 Infinity & Beyond Halloween 5K Run/Walk, an event dedicated to raising awareness and support for organizations serving individuals facing mental health challenges and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
One of the fund’s first major philanthropic commitments will be a gift to Jawonio in support of its new facility in Valley Cottage. The contribution will help create the Jordyn Seiden Art Therapy Room, a dedicated space that honors Jordyn’s memory while providing people in mental health recovery opportunities for healing, self-expression, and hope. The room stands as a lasting tribute to the belief that every person seeking support deserves compassion, understanding, and the opportunity to thrive.
Professionally, Michael Seidenfrau is a dedicated Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors who believes that successful investment planning begins with trust, strong relationships, and putting people first. As a concierge financial services professional, Michael collaborates closely with individuals and families to help them achieve their financial goals and navigate life’s important decisions with confidence. Drawing on the extensive resources of Wells Fargo Advisors, he provides personalized guidance tailored to each client’s unique needs, values, and aspirations.
At the heart of Michael’s practice is a commitment to listening, understanding, and serving. He believes that sustainable financial success is achieved not through short-term results alone, but through thoughtful planning, proactive communication, and a long-term strategy designed to support each client’s evolving goals. Michael takes pride in helping clients feel informed, secure, and empowered as they work toward their financial future.
Michael understands that trust is earned through transparency, consistency, and genuine care. He approaches every client relationship with integrity and diligence, taking the time to ensure that each individual feels heard, valued, and supported. His goal is to provide not only financial guidance, but also confidence.
His areas of expertise include Wealth Management, Investments, Portfolio Management, Retirement Planning, and Asset Allocation. Through a disciplined and personalized approach, Michael helps clients develop comprehensive financial strategies designed to preserve and grow their wealth across generations.
Investment and Insurance Products are:
• Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
• Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate
• Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested
Throughout both his professional work and community service, Michael remains driven: “Success isn’t measured solely by what we achieve for ourselves, but by the lives we touch, the people we help, and the positive impact we leave behind,”
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.