A resident of Philipstown since 1976, where he and his late wife, Jean, raised their two boys, Claudio Marzollo has long been active in local government and nonprofit organizations. He was appointed a member of the Town’s Recreation Commission in 1982 and was instrumental in the acquisition and construction of both the Philipstown Park and the eponymously named Community Center in Garrison. From his position on the Recreation Commission, Claudio led the group that founded the Philipstown Depot Theatre in 1996. He is also an active and founding member of both the Hudson Highlands Land Trust and the Friends of Philipstown Recreation.

Until his retirement, Claudio Marzollo had a successful career as an internationally known sculptor. He has continued his craft by shaping the community around him through his local charitable giving and engagement with the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley (CFHV). Claudio remembers being introduced to the work of CFHV by his good friend, Seamus Carroll, while attending the annual Garden Party celebration where he was inspired to establish the Marzollo Family Fund.

Claudio now serves on the board of Philipstown Aging at Home (PAAH), an all-volunteer organization driven by the shared benefit of neighbors helping neighbors. Since joining, Claudio has advocated for more programming aimed at creating community among seniors. “Loneliness is one of the most pressing problems we widowed or single seniors face. By bringing people together, PAAH not only helps diminish that problem, but helps participants make new friendships that further lessen the loneliness factor.”

Through the Marzollo Family Fund, Claudio was able to direct support for PAAH’s Senior Acting Program. Meanwhile, the Putnam County Community Grants Fund provided support for More to Our Story, another innovative PAAH program in which participants—guided by a skilled facilitator—use their own stories, memories, feelings, and ideas to craft a themed performance piece that culminates in a special performance at the Philipstown Depot Theatre.