Editor’s note: The following press release was provided by Joe Nunziata, director of communications for the Rotary Club of the Pelhams.

The Rotary Club of the Pelhams has proudly announced its Honorees for 2018: Clayton Bushong, Josephine Catalano and Syd Thayer. These extraordinary Pelham residents will be recognized for their charitable and volunteer support for our children and the entire community at the Rotary’s Tastings XIV Fundraiser on October 14, 2018 at the Pelham Country Club.
Here are the lists of their exemplary accomplishments:

Clayton Bushong
• Director of Programming, Operations and Marketing at The Picture House Regional Film Center – major advocate for kids & teens participation, including employment
• Created Picture House Film Club and Family Flicks film series
• Coordinated with local schools movies for students, with guest lecturers
• Founded The Westchester International Children’s Film Festival
• Helped create Pelham Half Marathon
• Pelham Travel Soccer Coach (eighth year)
• Recipient of Double Goal Coaches Award for Most Wins & Exemplary Sportsmanship
• Coach, Pelham Recreational Soccer for many years
• Divisional Commissioner, Pelham Rec Soccer (multiple grades)
• Coach, Pelham Lacrosse
• Member of both Colonial (Communications Director) and Siwanoy (President) PTAs
• Site Base Representative for Middle School
• Board Member, Pelham Chamber of Commerce
• Sunday School Teacher and Director of Christmas Pageant
• Elder of Huguenot Memorial Church
• Member in Church’s Family Service Nights for mission and service
• Member of Church Search Committee for Associate Pastor (Rev. Jacob Bolton)

Josephine Catalano

• Director of Volunteer Services and Intergenerational Programming at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, NY overseeing the activities of hundreds of volunteers of all ages
• Teacher of Religious Education at St. Catharine’s Church & Coordinator of Special Parish Events
• Member of the Pelham Interfaith Council
• Member, Colonial School PTA; Spearheaded Colonial Boutiques, Pasta Nights, and 5th Grade Graduations for many years
• Board Member of Pelham Children’s Theater for many years
• Board Member of the Pelham Music Festival
• Major supporter of Sock ‘n Buskin Middle School & HS Theater Programs
• Girl Scout Leader for two different Pelham Troops for ten years
• Member of the Manor Club
• Sustainer Member of the Junior League of Pelham.
• Member, Rotary Club of the Pelhams; Director of Silent Auction Committee for Tastings Annual Fundraiser for six year

Syd Thayer

• Member of Huguenot Church: Middle School Youth Group Leader
• Sunday School Teacher for ten years
• Deacon for 15 years (currently the Deacon Moderator)
• Member of the Mission, Stewardship and Education Committees
• Coordinator of the Huguenot Church 5K & Kids’ ½ Mile “Fun-Runs” for seven years

• He and wife Dana ran the annual Huguenot Christmas Tree Sale for ten years
• Both are annual performers in the Huguenot Cabaret
• Member of the Sandy Relief Committee
• Member of the Hearts and Homes for Refugees Organization
• Leader of American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life
• Coordinator of the Pelham Children Center’s Pumpkin Festival 5K and Kids’ ½ Milers for eight years
• Coached Recreational and Travel Soccer for both of his children

• Board Member of the Travel Soccer Board
• Board Member of the Pelham Children’s Center (President for three years)
• Substitute Teacher for Pelham Middle and High Schools.

So please save the date for Tastings XIV Fundraiser on Sunday October 14 from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the Pelham Country Club to celebrate these outstanding volunteers, and to help our Rotary save lives… around the corner and around the world! It’s a fun event for a tremendous cause. For more information about Rotary Club of the Pelhams, please visit our website at www.pelhamrotary.com