A celebration in the Poconos Thursday night honored those who give of themselves to help others.
A well-known couple in Monroe County received a special award recognizing all their years of service.
The Pocono Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals held their annual awards dinner near Stroudsburg to celebrate National Philanthropy Week.
Doctors Joseph and Rose Mattioli were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their decades of giving in the Poconos. It was a chance for the Association of Fundraising Professionals to say thank you for giving.
Dozens of people packed the Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroud Township. Similar events are taking place all across the country.
"I think it's just a wonderful opportunity for us to talk about philanthropy, the importance of it, what it does for our community and to say thank you," said Maryanne Heeter, AFP president and honoree.
Several people received awards for their dedication to supporting the community.
"In philanthropy, I think you turn the corner when you don't make up your mind to give, you make up your heart because then you get involved in the community, you get passionate about the causes," said fundraising award winner Chuck Hannig.
The biggest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Doctors Joseph and Rose Mattioli, the owners of Pocono Raceway in Long Pond.
They said it is important to give back to the community they have called home since 1960.
"Many many years ago, I never had an money. I never had anything to give but now we do, and we think it's appropriate to support different things that we like to support," said Dr. Joseph Mattioli.
The Mattioli's have been giving back to the community in Monroe County for decades, supporting everything from hospitals, locals schools and other community projects, but they said giving back is not always about money.
"You can give other things than money. A lot of people don't have the money to give. You give of your time, you give of your support, you give of any little thing. It doesn't have to be a big deal. As long as you participate, whatever you give, you get back ten-fold," added Dr. Mattioli.
The AFP said the Lifetime Achievement Award is not given out every year, which makes it even more special for the Mattiolis.
A well-known couple in Monroe County received a special award recognizing all their years of service.
The Pocono Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals held their annual awards dinner near Stroudsburg to celebrate National Philanthropy Week.
Doctors Joseph and Rose Mattioli were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their decades of giving in the Poconos. It was a chance for the Association of Fundraising Professionals to say thank you for giving.
Dozens of people packed the Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroud Township. Similar events are taking place all across the country.
"I think it's just a wonderful opportunity for us to talk about philanthropy, the importance of it, what it does for our community and to say thank you," said Maryanne Heeter, AFP president and honoree.
Several people received awards for their dedication to supporting the community.
"In philanthropy, I think you turn the corner when you don't make up your mind to give, you make up your heart because then you get involved in the community, you get passionate about the causes," said fundraising award winner Chuck Hannig.
The biggest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Doctors Joseph and Rose Mattioli, the owners of Pocono Raceway in Long Pond.
They said it is important to give back to the community they have called home since 1960.
"Many many years ago, I never had an money. I never had anything to give but now we do, and we think it's appropriate to support different things that we like to support," said Dr. Joseph Mattioli.
The Mattioli's have been giving back to the community in Monroe County for decades, supporting everything from hospitals, locals schools and other community projects, but they said giving back is not always about money.
"You can give other things than money. A lot of people don't have the money to give. You give of your time, you give of your support, you give of any little thing. It doesn't have to be a big deal. As long as you participate, whatever you give, you get back ten-fold," added Dr. Mattioli.
The AFP said the Lifetime Achievement Award is not given out every year, which makes it even more special for the Mattiolis.
