New York State Senate candidate Joe Rand was warmly welcomed by residents Tuesday evening as community members gathered for a meet-and-greet hosted by the Zellermaier family in Pomona.

The event brought together neighbors from across the area for an evening of conversation, refreshments, and one-on-one discussions with Rand about the issues that matter most to Rockland County families. Throughout the evening, attendees spoke with Rand about affordability, public safety, education, transportation, and the future of the county.

Many guests also thanked Rand for his advocacy on behalf of Rockland County families in securing a long-overdue increase in child care funding. Attendees expressed appreciation for his efforts to help correct longstanding disparities in the state's funding formula—changes that are expected to bring a nearly 70 percent increase in child care funding to Rockland County and expand support for working parents and local child care providers.

Supporters said Rand's willingness to champion the issue demonstrated his commitment to addressing challenges that directly affect local families.

"Joe didn't just talk about the problem—he worked to help bring attention to it," one attendee said. "Families across Rockland have been waiting for this kind of investment, and we're grateful for everyone who fought to make it happen."

Throughout the evening, Rand spent time speaking individually with residents, answering questions, listening to concerns, and discussing his vision for stronger communities, greater affordability, and responsive leadership in Albany.

Organizers described the event as another example of Rand's grassroots approach to campaigning, emphasizing personal conversations and community engagement over large political rallies. They noted that residents appreciated the opportunity to speak directly with the candidate and share the issues most important to their families.

The Pomona gathering reflected growing enthusiasm among supporters as Rand continues meeting voters across the district, building relationships one conversation at a time. For many in attendance, the evening reinforced their belief that accessible, community-focused leadership can make a meaningful difference for Rockland County.