Pelham Civic Association Names Tina Constable & Dan Mclaughlin Persons of The Year
by Joe Nunziata
The Pelham Civic Association’s Person of the Year honorees are exemplary individuals who are recognized because their leadership and achievements improve the quality of life of the youth, the elderly, the financially needy and the physically and mentally challenged in our community. This year, we are proud to honor two such individuals: Tina Constable and Dan McLaughlin.
Tina Constable-Founder, “Thanksgiving In A Box”
Tina Constable, a Pelham resident for over 20 years, is the catalyst of the visionary initiative “Thanksgiving In A Box”. She took a very modest outreach program and transformed it into one that serves thousands of people each Thanksgiving. In the process Tina created a program that has become a point of pride and civic involvement for our entire community
Thanksgiving In A Box actually started more than twenty years ago, as part of a modest effort by Huguenot Memorial Church to provide Thanksgiving meal to underserved families hosted in the gym .Tina spearheaded a charge that re-imagine what a food delivery Thanksgiving model could look like. So from providing simple turkeys to 25 families for one day, she expanded to supplying enough food for over one thousand families for an entire week – including hams, pies, potatoes, rice, apples and pasta.
Tina’s enormous commitment and dedication on a year-in/year-out basis for the past 20 years is nothing less than a miracle, as she accomplished all of this in her spare time! She is a successful senior level executive in the media/publishing industry. She is currently an Executive Vice President and Publisher at Random House Christian Publishing, a position she has held since 2018, following other senior level executive positions at Random House and other major publishers. She has lived in Pelham for over 20 years with her husband, Rob (unfortunately, Rob passed away in 2019), and two sons, Spencer and Tyler.
Tina is also an active member of Huguenot Memorial Church and has served on its Board (Session) and Mission Committee, and routinely involves herself in the service activities of Huguenot and other community organizations, such as meal runs to NYC early on Sunday morning, and mission trips with high school students.
Congratulations to Tina Constable – Pelham Civic Association 2024 Person of the Year.
Dan McLaughlin- Lifelong Volunteer : Dedication, Leadership and Service
It’s difficult to find a Pelham resident who, in the last 30+ years, has made (and continues to make) a more significant and lasting impact on the well-being and development of the Town of Pelham, than Dan McLaughlin.
Dan has never hesitated to assist where help is needed. He volunteers not only his time but also his leadership, spearheading many initiatives, whether it be for an individual, a cause, or a community project. His selflessness, generosity, and benevolence have made Pelham a better community for all to live, and the Pelham Civics a stronger organization. His contribution to the Town of Pelham spans many arenas, a few of which are listed below:
• Current Town of Pelham Supervisor for 6 years
• Councilman for 10 years
• Pelham Civic Association Member for 30+ years, serving as Chair of every major program, including President and Chairman of the Board
• Pelham Recreation Commission for 10 years – Member and Commissioner
• Pelham Little League Coach
• Pelham Girls Softball Coach
• Commissioner of Pelham Girls Traveling Softball
• Manager of PMHS Varsity Hockey for 5 years
Away from his involvement in Town, Dan spent his entire career in the financial sector: 12 years as VP of Lending at Chase Manhattan Bank, 30 years at various entrepreneurial companies, five years as an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance at Baruch College of Business, City University of New York. Dan and his wife Rita have lived in Pelham for 39 years. They have a daughter Michelle, married to Tim Begley, and grand-daughter Mackenzie Carolina, and a son Daniel Jr (also a Pelham resident), married to Ariana, grandson Daniel III, and grand-daughter Teresa Rose.
Congratulations to Dan McLaughlin – Pelham Civic Association 2024 Person of the Year.
Join us for a Night of Fun, Dinner and Friends at our Annual Gala on October 25 starting at 6:30 at the elegant Surf Club in New Rochelle. You can also show your support of the programs of the Pelham Civics and of the Persons of the Year by placing a journal ad, participating in our fundraising auction, purchasing a raffle ticket, or by making a donation. Please visit pelhamcivics.org/fall-gala.
For more information contact Fall Gala Chairman, Maurice Owen-Michaane at maurice@pelhamcivics.org or call 917-842-5552.
Founded in 1939, the Pelham Civics is one of Westchester County’s most active volunteer, charitable organizations – dedicated to assisting the youth/students, elderly, financially needy, and the mentally & physically challenged. Thank you. Visit us at pelhamcivics.org.