DGC Capital Contracting Corp.’s commitment to philanthropy is rooted in the belief that businesses can - and should - play an active role in strengthening the communities they serve. Over the years, DGC has built a legacy of purposeful giving that has opened doors for students, strengthened families, and helped grant life-changing wishes across the Hudson Valley. At the heart of that culture is President & CEO Gerry Ryan, whose leadership has helped shape DGC’s approach to community impact into something both deeply personal and sustainably strategic.

That spirit of giving can be traced back to Mount Vernon in 1995. DGC’s team met Patrice, a determined Mount Vernon High School student balancing academics with an after-school job at the company while navigating significant financial barriers to college. What began as a simple desire to support one promising young person quickly evolved into something far greater. Recognizing that Patrice’s experience reflected broader challenges facing many local students, DGC expanded its efforts - establishing a partnership with Mount Vernon High School that connected students with scholarships, mentorship, and practical guidance toward higher education. One student’s story became the foundation for an enduring, community-centered initiative.

From that early commitment, the Fulfilling A Dream Fund emerged - an effort that reflects DGC’s belief that consistent, collaborative giving can drive meaningful change. What started as a modest golf outing among 20–30 supporters has grown into an annual event welcoming nearly 200 golfers and raising more than $3 million for children’s causes. Through this initiative, DGC has supported several organizations that create lasting, measurable impact for families, including Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley.

Through financial support and advocacy, DGC has helped our chapter grant countless wishes for local children facing critical illnesses. Through genuine compassion and an extraordinary ability to build connections, they have also inspired hundreds of supporters throughout the Hudson Valley to join our wish-granting family, creating a powerful network that transforms dreams into reality for children with critical illnesses.

For 12 years - the maximum allowable term - Gerry served on the Make‑A‑Wish Hudson Valley Board of Directors, helping to grant 1,298 wishes for local children and their families. As he transitions to one of the first members of our newly formed Emeritus Board, Gerry’s impact continues to ripple across our community he calls home.

DGC Capital Contracting Corp. demonstrates how a company’s commitment to giving can evolve from a single act of support into a lasting force for good. By aligning business success with intentional community investment, DGC has helped transform thousands of lives and created a model of corporate citizenship that inspires others to imagine how their own organizations can make a meaningful difference.