Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has recognized Frank Gerbes as the Citizen of the Month Award recipient for the month of August.
Gerbes, a life-long Orange County resident who grew up in New Windsor, was recognized for his many decades of service, dedication and support for a variety of organizations and causes in the greater Newburgh area and beyond.
“Frank is a dedicated volunteer in our community and I’m proud to recognize him for all of his hard work and efforts,” Neuhaus said. “He goes above and beyond to help others and is passionate in his support of local initiatives. If there is an event taking place in or around Newburgh, Frank is often an integral part of it. Guided by his faith, Frank has performed this work with great humility and compassion.”
Gerbes, a Licensed Associate with ReMax Benchmark Realty Group, has donated $50 of each of his closings to the Children’s Miracle Network and Habitat for Humanity’s Builders Blitz program for 25 years. Gerbes said that he usually closes on 20 to 30 properties each year. Habitat’s Builders Blitz brings together professional homebuilders and volunteers to build safe and affordable housing for families in need.
The Children’s Miracle Network provides funding to children’s hospitals throughout the U.S., including Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth). Gerbes is an 18-year member, and past president of the Newburgh Kiwanis Club. He has been active in the Club’s “Baby Shower” program, which provides car seats, diapers, blankets and clothing to needy families who deliver at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital.
Gerbes also serves as an Inside Guard with the Knights of Columbus and has sung in the choir at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Newburgh for more than 45 years. He and his wife, Mary, who have been married for 49 years, previously taught PreCana to couples for more than 35 years.
Gerbes said he was inspired to volunteer and give back to the community by his parents, Tom and Helen, who volunteered in the community. His dad was a lifelong New Windsor resident and performed community service for many years in the town. Frank and Mary Gerbes have a son, Jody and two daughters, Joy and Fay, and six grandchildren.
“I learned from my parents that volunteering and helping your community is just the right thing to do,” Gerbes said. “I started when I was at the old St. Patrick’s High School in Newburgh when I volunteered with the CYO and I’ve been blessed to help others ever since. I have been honored before, which I greatly appreciate, but to be recognized by County Executive Neuhaus is humbling. It means a lot to me and my family.”
Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January of 2017. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information. Nominees must be from Orange County.
For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.