Poughkeepsie, NY – The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley announced their first-ever Putnam County honorees to be recognized at their Annual Garden Party. Community leaders Seamus Carroll and Marie Wieck will be celebrated at Obercreek in Wappingers Falls on Sunday, September 24^th.

As the organization’s signature event, the Garden Party brings together hundreds of friends and supporters to acknowledge the service and philanthropy of local business and community leaders. Net proceeds from the event fund its Community Grants program, which provides vital support to causes and charities in Dutchess, Putnam and Ulster counties. Since 2000, the Garden Party has generated more than $1.1 million in grants which were invested in nonprofits of the Hudson Valley.
 
“Now in its 23^rd year, the Garden Party has become an annual engagement not to be missed,” said Nancy Brownell, Vice President of the Putnam affiliate. “As the Foundations’ activity has grown in Putnam County, it seems fitting to recognize the accomplishments and philanthropy of these two outstanding community members. We are delighted to acknowledge Seamus Carroll and Marie Wieck for their exemplary contributions to the Hudson Valley.”
 
Carroll and Wieck moved from Queens to Cold Spring in 1985 with expectations that work would have them leaving the area in a year or so, but thirty-two years, two careers, two houses, and two daughters later, they have stayed with no intention of leaving. Marie has been working at IBM for over 30 years, managing multi-billion dollar divisions, teams of over 7,500 employees and leading a recent startup initiative, IBM Blockchain. She has volunteered extensively in mentorship programs that promote diversity in technology leadership. In addition, she is an active member on the boards of Charity Navigator, the Anita Borg Institute and is Co-Chair of the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) Roundtable. Seamus is a technologist at heart who spent his career designing and manufacturing electronic imaging systems. Some of his designs were used by Pixar, and he later co-founded Visiplex Instruments, a manufacturer of medical imaging devices. He has volunteered and served as a board member of numerous organizations and committees; including current appointments at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the Hudson Highlands Land Trust and as the Board Chair of Hudson Valley Seed.
 
In addition to Seamus Carroll and Marie Wieck, the Foundations will honor Elizabeth Peale Allen and Tim & Laurel Sweeney for their contributions to the regional community. The event will be hosted by Alexander Reese and Alison Spear at their historic home, Obercreek, in Wappingers Falls between 3 pm and 6 pm. Guests will enjoy the company of friends and business leaders, gourmet catering by Ric Orlando of New World Home Cooking, as well as fine wines and beers. Tickets can be purchased at www.CommunityFoundationsHV.org, or by calling the Community Foundations at 845-452-3077.