Alvarez and Wilson Recognized by City of Newburgh

NEWBURGH – Mr. Joe Alvarez received the “Key to the City” from the Newburgh City Council for his “leadership and contributions to the city of Newburgh.”

“This presentation is very important to many of us,” said Mayor Torrance Harvey of the occasion. The city council and mayor honored Joe Alvarez for his dedication and service to the Newburgh community

The city also issued a proclamation to Joe Alvarez, who has resided in the city for 39 years. He is the President and founder of We Are Newburgh, a local grass roots organization. Over the years Alvarez and We Are Newburgh have organized a number of positive activities for the residents of Newburgh and the surrounding areas.

Mayor Harvey cited several of those activities including: The annual Back to School Bookbag Giveaway, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the annual Thanksgiving dinner event, and the annual Christmas Extravaganza and stuff the bus event.

“His work has been permanently memorialized by the City to serve as a reminder of the core principals that he and his organization and the volunteers represent,” said Mayor Harvey..
The inscription on the Key reads, “Mr. Joe Alvarez dedicated service to the City of Newburgh” and is emblazoned with the office seal of the city.

Alvarez said, “This key belongs to everyone in this room… it belongs to anyone who does anything positive. This key means a lot to me. If I can do it, you can do it, anybody can do it.” He continued, “I believe in this city and I’m so very thankful for the team I have.”

City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey (far right) listens as Maritza Wilson (with mic) offers remarks after receiving a Certificate of Recognition and Joe Alvarez (far left) wipes away tears of joy after receiving the Key to the City, surrounded by members of We Are Newburgh. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.
City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey (far right) listens as Maritza Wilson (with mic) offers remarks after receiving a Certificate of Recognition and Joe Alvarez (far left) wipes away tears of joy after receiving the Key to the City, surrounded by members of We Are Newburgh. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Alvarez humbly thanked his family, volunteers, and the community at large for allowing him to do what he does for the city. “I love this city and this city loves me back,” he concluded.

Harvey introduced the recipient of the next recognition by saying, “You can’t have Superman without Superwoman.” The “Superwoman” reference was for Maritza Wilson.

Wilson was recognized by the city council for her years of dedication to the city and its residents and was presented with a certificate of recognition.

Harvey said, “Ms. Wilson, in appreciation of your devoted and praise worthy contributions to the City of Newburgh, and in recognition of the hard work and dedication thru We Are Newburgh which contributes greatly to our community and beautiful city, we hereby bestow upon you as a token of the esteem and gratitude of our community, this certificate of recognition.”

Newburgh resident Deborah Danzi thanked both Alvarez and Wilson for their dedication to the city saying, “We love you, we thank you, and we appreciate the things you do for this city. If it wasn’t for you, a lot of people would not receive the things they need, especially around the holidays.”

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