The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Anna Jarvis conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for their children. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts.

By 1912 many states, towns and churches had adopted Mother’s Day as an annual holiday, and Jarvis had established the Mother’s Day International Association to help promote her cause. Her persistence paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

Haverstraw, NY – Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland will host the annual Blessing of the Soil, with Guest of Honor His Eminence Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan in attendance, on Saturday, May 4th at Catholic Charities in Haverstraw at 78 Hudson Avenue, from noon until 1:00 pm. The Archbishop will bless the soil and there will be fun activities for the children and refreshments. The theme is “From Seed to Supper” and attendees will hear how Catholic Charities is able to provide so much fresh produce to those in need.

CCCSR has hosted this community event since 2011 after creating a large garden on the side lawn of their location in Haverstraw where staff and volunteers oversee the growing of fresh vegetables for families and individuals who access the food pantry. It is also home to one of the only greenhouses on the site of a food pantry in the northeast.

  Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland, The Warm Heart of Rockland, provides services to people of all ages, from every race and ethnic group from all over the County. The organization’s focus is to provide life necessities, including food, shelter, and other emergency assistance to those in need. The compassionate and professional staff speak English, Spanish, French and Creole, and assist people of all ages, races and religions in Rockland County. CCCSR also runs the Warming Center for Rockland County during the colder months. More information can be found at www.ccsrockland.org or by calling (845) 942-5791.