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AABR 49th Annual Awards Gala

Apr. 8. 2005

Terrace on the Park, Flushing, NY

The AABR is truly an organization dedicated to fulfilling unmet needs. Now, after nearly fifty years of having helped those special, disabled people among us live more normal, independent lives, the AABR has celebrated its forty ninth year of showing deep concern for and providing dedicated care for those less fortunate.

The program of the event, which took place at Flushing Meadow Park’s most elegant restaurant, Terrace on the Park, began with a wonderful cocktail hour during which people from virtually every business sector conceivable could mingle, introducing themselves to each other among several cocktail buffets of hot and cold delicacies. After the cocktail hour, everyone went up to the ball room, overlooking the beautiful park, for an elegant dinner with wonderful entertainment. It was during dinner that the humanitarian award, freedom award and special recognition award were presented to top notch people who have devoted of themselves any combination of time, energy and/or funding necessary to serve those who are less fortunate.

Mr. Peter Meyer, the Regional Vice President for Commerce Bank’s Brooklyn and Queens regions, was the first honoree. Upon accepting his award, he delivered a most touching speech, which went as follows.

I want to start by saying thank you to all my friends, co-workers and business associates for supporting AABR this evening. I am deeply honored and appreciative that you thought enough of me and this cause to give up scarce quality time on a Friday night to come to this wonderful event. I’m very lucky to know all of you and to work at a company like Commerce Bank, that encourages its employees to get involved with community organizations trying to make life easier for those less fortunate. Most of all, I want to thank Denise Arbesu, my best friend, biggest supporter and my partner in everything.

Today, the world said goodbye to, and buried one of the greatest leaders of all time. Whether or not you agreed with John Paul on specific philosophical issues, there is no denying the great example he set for us all through his passionate defense of human rights, his obvious love of all the people of the world and his unending devotion to the less fortunate. We were blessed to have such a man walk among us.

Right through to the end, he continued to teach through example. As his health deteriorated,and he became painfully disabled, he did not shrink from the public’s eye. He seemed to be saying to us, “This is part of life, accept it and embrace it.” It may not have been pretty and certainly wouldn’t play well on MTV, but the Pope demonstrated great dignity and enormous strength by continuing to be part of life until the end. He demanded to be part of life. Disabilities and those that suffer from them are a part of our lives. There can be no greater act than caring for others. The people at AABR do this every day. The care and love they provide is astonishing and obviously essential. They provide comfortable homes and wonderful care for people with disabilities – and they do this so that our brothers, sisters, cousins, and neighbors can live with dignity with us and among us – the way it should be – and not pushed off somewhere out of the public’s view. I am in awe of what AABR does and am extremely thankful I had this opportunity to help in some small way.

St. Francis said that only by giving can we receive.--Something for all of us to think about. The people at AABR, like Pope John Paul, are tangible examples of how that works in everyday life.

Thank you.

The second honoree was Stephen G. Gianotti, President of Arcadia Electrical Contractors, LLC, who was very humble in his acceptance of the freedom award. Mr. Gianotti’s speech was also very touching, as he pointed out that he was in a serious auto accident at the age of 7 (as a pedestrian), and emerged from a coma with all of his faculties intact. He stated how lucky he was not to have ended up disabled, and that it made him think about how life is for those who are disabled—as he quite possibly could have been himself. He then began to see what he could do about making a difference in the lives of those who must spend every day of their life at a disadvantage. Steve Gianotti has also deminstratred enormous strength through the years of his life,, having been faced with the adversity of the loss of several loved one since his early life, and having actually used these experiences to better mold his own character and to become a phenominally outstanding achiever.

The last honoree, who received the special recognition award, was Catherine Kilfoyle. Cathy is known for celebrating life by embracing challenges and sharing her boundless enthusiasm. She’s always there for others. Cathy’s Italian American heritage has instilled tradition and stability in her. Cathy had strengthened her skills and knowledge, while studying at Westbury High and Brown's Business School, to become very successful in business. She still enjoys keeping busy and fondly reminisces her first position with Home Title Guarantee Company. Cathy's experience includes having worked for the Better Business Bureau as a file manager for the Home Improvement Companies, and a management position at Trans-America Abstract.

The Association for the Help of Blind and Retarded was founded in 1956 by six anguished, frustrated parents (among many other parents), who were determined to find a way to make a better life for their children in response to a serious need for facilities which taught the multiply handicapped blind and severely retarded the basic skills of daily living--at the time, there were only warehousing institutions.

As Robert Frost wrote, they "...took the road less traveled by and that made all the difference." And the road continues... Today, the AABR dedicates itself to the principles of quality care and personal growth with a devoted staff of five hundred, showing great sensitivity to the special needs of the handicapped. The staff people encourage while they teach, inspire where there is a hint of talent, praise their efforts, reassure their timid attempts and applaud their successes.

The AABR is determined that each person in their care reach their highest level of capability. Past reflections have always inspired its staff to future visions. Its ideology is "To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield." The AABR is, indeed, looking forward to the future with confidence and vision.

We at Liberty News Online Magazine would like to thank Ms. Debbie Ven Cura, from the AABR Dinner Dance Committee, for her kind invitation to come and cover this event. Anyone interested in learning more about the AABR may visit their website at www.aabr.org.

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.)