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Judge Charles J. Vallone
72nd Anniversary Scholarship Fund
April 2nd, 2005
Ricardo’s Catering, Astoria, NY
 The Astoria Civic Association (A.C.A.) is certainly doing great work for the community. Their 72nd annual gala took place on April 2nd, 2005 to commemorate the work the organization has done for the community for the last 72 years. Every year, the association honors men and women who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment in making the community a better place for everyone. This year was no exception.
After hearing the National Anthem most beautifully sung by a truly operatic voice, a very touching invocation by Monsignor Paul R. Sanchez (from the oldest Catholic church in Queens), and after, Peter Vallone, Sr., asked everyone to take a moment of silence in observance of the passing of Pope John Paul II that day, the Astoria Civic Association (A.C.A.) invited the first honoree, Vernon W. Hill II, the Founder & Chairman of Commerce Bancorp, to the stage.
Mr. Vallone spoke briefly on the accomplishments which Mr. Hill had achieved, among which are the granting of $500 to each and every one of 50 Astoria community homeowners who’s home’s sustained flood damage due to a water main break years back. Additionally, Commerce Bank had offered unsecured home repair loans for up to $10,000 to each of the homeowners, in order to assist them in repairing their homes. Commerce Bank had also contributed an additional $25,000 to the existing Astoria Civic Association scholarship fund. We at Liberty News Online Magazine offer our sincerest congratulations to Mr. Vernon Hill, II, who, by the way, was also named Bank CEO of the Year in 2003 by US Banker Magazine, and was named as one of the top five CEO’s of any business in 2002 by Investor’s Business Daily newspaper.
The next honoree was Gloria D’Amico, the Queens County Clerk, who has held her position since 1991. Ms. D’Amico, originally from Hartford, Connecticut, came to Astoria during her teenage years, making Astoria her permanent home. She is a graduate of the professional school of fashion design, and worked for the fashion industry until the time she married, in 1949. She became a devoted housewife and mother of two sons, for whom she gave up a career in order to raise her children. Gloria’s Queens Office, during her tenure as Chief Clerk for the Board of Elections, became known as the best-managed and most efficient office in the City of New York. We at Liberty News Online Magazine would like to extend our congratulations to Ms. Gloria D’Amico for her hard work and dedication, and for all the work she has accomplished for the community.
This night, Ms. D'Amico, along with Mr. Vernon Hill, II, were both recognized for the work they had each accomplished.
Judge Charles J. Vallone, in who's name the scholarship was created, was a man of infinite patience and good humor. He loved working with kids in scouting and sports. He was the founder of the Boys Club of Queens, which is now known as the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, one of the largest facilities serving our youngsters in the entire country. Since the scholarship fund was introduced, more than $354,350 has been awarded in Judge Valone’s name to help high school seniors get started in the colleges of their choice.
Judge Vallone is also credited with having studied the piano at the LaSalle Academy, in downtown Manhattan, to become a concert pianist by the age of 17. He led the “Brotherhood Day” parades up Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria in the 1940’s—the forerunners to the marches of civil rights in the 1960’s, and was also a devout Catholic.
This year’s scholarship recipients were also present at the gala—Denise Napolitano ($4,000), Marsiyana Henricus ($2,000), Emily Alois ($1,500), Segundo Minchala ($1,500), Miguel Zapata ($1,500), Philip Mincone ($1,000), Anthony Carullo, Jr. ($500), Faye Malonas ($500), Ileana Mieu ($500), Christopher Scoufaras ($500), Constantinos Stavrakis ($500), Christina Szuper ($500) and Anna Varias ($500).
Additionally, previous scholarship recipients were also presented on stage, to show their accomplishments. Among them, Charles Varkas, a 1998 scholarship recipient from Columbia, who headed to Mozambique as a U.S. Peace Corps. Volunteer, his primary assignment being teaching of high school biology and English. With the aid of U.S. funding, led construction of the first community library in the district of Moatize, Mozambique. He hopes to enter medical school in the fall of 2006. Another scholarship recipient was John Mark, who received his scholarship in 1996. Mr. Mark is a graduate of St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Mark is currently the Director of Residence Life and the Director oif Judicial affairs at Manhattan College. He also joined the other alumni at the annual Astoria bike race. Another former scholarship recipient was Liz McLaughlin, who won her scholarship in 1994. She is an entrepreneur of her own medical billing company, Precise Billing, which continues to grow as she balances her position while still finding time for offering her services to the A.C.A.. Board of Directors, volunteering at the annual bike race.
This was a very festive event, which started off with a generous cocktail hour and a most generous entrée. There was a great band there to entertain everyone for the night, and the dinner was concluded with a “Viennese Hour,” when waitstaff rolled in tables full of luscious desserts—cakes, cookies, even mouthwatering, seasaonal fresh fruit.
We would like to thank Peter Vallone, Sr., and Brenda Anbrle for their kind invitation for us to come and cover this festive event.
Abbey H. Muneer is the Executive Director of H.A.D. Organization of New York City, Inc., a world-famous athlete, author and, above all, a humanitarian. Abbey will write articles about charity events, benefits, fundraisers and galas which are raising money for humantiarian causes. If you are interested in having Abbey and one his staff members cover one of your charity events, benefits, fundraisers or galas, feel free to notify us one week in advance, at LNEvents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. and ask to speak to Abbey or Maria. If you would like more information, or would like to have Liberty News Online Magazine consult your next charitable event, please feel free to visit our website, at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html, email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org, or telephone our hotline, at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. (U.S.A.) |
