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Autumn on the Hudson

A Benefit for Recovery for St. Christopher’s Inn

On Thursday, October 27, 2022, benefactors and friends of St. Christopher’s Inn gathered at X20-Xaviars in Yonkers, NY for the Board of Directors Autumn on the Hudson Reception—a Benefit for Recovery. Those gathered celebrated the mission of the Inn and honored those whose work continues to impact the lives of those living with the disease of addiction.

Honored at the event were:

Peter Pritchard (posthumously), whose commitment to St. Christopher’s Inn was inspirational. Many of Peter’s family and business associates were in attendance and his daughter, Saara Melton, shared heartfelt words of her father’s love for the Inn and the life-saving work being done there.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks whose drug prevention work is renowned both locally and nationally. The Elks were well represented at the event and Fr. Michael Martine, NYS Elks Chaplain presented the honorary award to District Deputy to the Grand Exalted Ruler, John Lawless. St. Christopher’s Inn looks forward to further collaboration with the Elks.

A Tribute to Fr. Bernie Palka SA and Fr. Bill Drobach SA was also a highlight of the evening. We reflected on their dedication and commitment to St. Christopher’s Inn and the gift of hope that they both gave to countless men in recovery at the Inn.

Lisa Quist, the Executive Director of Mission Support, told the story of Ross, a St. Christopher’s alumnus also in attendance, who rebuilt his life with the help and hope he received at St. Christopher’s Inn. Ross was promptly given a standing ovation from all in attendance.

We thank our Board of Directors, our Honorary Reception Chairs, Fr. Michael Martine and Matthew G McCrosson, all our sponsors and everyone who helped make this event so special, providing life-giving funds for those who seek healing and a spiritual awakening as they continue their journey of recovery.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

EVENT

Pritchard Industries

Rolex Watch U.S.A.

PLATINUM

The Pritchard Family

GOLD

Tom and Saara Melton

PKF O’Connor Davies

SILVER

Ted Moudis Associates

The Charles A. Mastronardi Foundation

PCSB Bank

BRONZE

BradyIFS

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty LLP

New York Presbyterian-Hudson Valley Hospital

BENEFACTOR

Diehard Pest Management Solutions & Pest Elimination Systems Technology, Inc.

Kathleen Scully Hodges

The nurses are the best part of my day.

The admission process was as fast and painless as it could be.

The medical staff is excellent, they treated me with love and care.

Overall the program and facility at St. Christopher’s Inn is the best, bar none.

Family program is PERFECT please don’t change a thing.

I took part in the GED program and was quite satisfied. I haven’t taken the test yet, but I have very high hopes of passing.

Gained immense knowledge from lectures and treatment plan.

It is very spiritual and I needed the experience.

The care and concern by my counselor and supporting staff shows the love that I didn’t know existed.

Staff is unbelievable, saved my life.

The goals I have reached and the new ones I’ve developed while being here are something of a life changer for me in my future.

I was pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Coffee House. Music is a central and meditative part of my life. The ability to perform for my new brothers here and the staff was unexpected and made this an incredible journey.

I would have nothing if it wasn’t for SCI.

Great people, caring and responsive.

I would like to tell you how thankful I am to you for having this family program available. I want to say thank you for giving me exactly what I needed.

The experience of being here and becoming a member of the Brothers Christopher fraternity has changed my life. Being in the Friars house was a blessing. Their generosity gave me knowledge I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for the privilege I was given to stay here in your house. God bless you all. I will always keep a piece of St. Christopher’s Inn in my heart.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hot meals, warm bed and unconditional love you so easily gave to me. I know if it were not for you, I would truly still be a lost soul.

The road to recovery is called Franciscan Way, and the door to happiness lies within the walls of St. Christopher’s Inn.

I never thought someone could care for a drug addict like me. You have shown me that I am worth something. May God bless you a million times.

Thank you for welcoming me in to your home, and granting me a scholarship for treatment. There’s not enough “thank-yous” I could say, so I’m going to show you by staying clean and living a peaceful sober life.

I want to thank you for everything—from my stay here to working in the Thrift Shop. I am so grateful for St. Christopher’s Inn and every staff member that represents this fantastic organization.

I was amazed by the unbelievable generosity of everyone at our Christmas party. A nice scarf and a collared shirt—I have been through hundreds in my life but I have never cared for any of them as I do for these. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas in many, many years.

I love this place. They have given me a place to sleep, food in my stomach, clothes on my back, and a chance at a first-class life. Recovery is here . . . all you have to do is want it!

Today, I am a sober man. I live an honest and simple life. I’m a reliable, employable productive member of society. I have dignity and self-worth and even self-love. All of these things are a direct result of the care and guidance given to me by the Friars and the staff at St. Christopher’s Inn. Some people call it a homeless shelter. I call it home.