Hospices will benefit from gala of ‘Friends’ who care
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On Friday, Jan. 13, Vienna Profeta, founder and president of Staten Island Friends for Hospice Care, will host the organization’s 25th anniversary “Celebrate Life Gala” in the Excelsior Grand, 2380 Hylan Blvd., New Dorp. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception followed by dinner, dessert, and dancing. Black-tie attire is optional. This event is open to the public, especially those who have been touched by hospice. Tickets are $150; call 917-754-4933. All major credit cards are accepted.
Proceeds from the event will be distributed to Visiting Nurse Service of New York, University Hospice, The Addeo Hospice Residence at Eger, and the “Happy To See You” Program, a program providing personal care services to hospice patients and their caregivers.
Sarah Wallace, Eyewitness News investigative reporter, and Harry Martin, My9News Anchor, will host the evening. Masters of ceremony are Fred Cerullo, president & CEO of Grand Central Partnership and Brian Laline, Editor, Staten Island Advance.
The chairs are Lenore Costantino of Huguenot, Lilliann DeLuca of Pleasant Plains, and Frank Lettera of Scotch Plains, N.J. Entertainment will be provided by Francesca Gramm and The Manhattan Rhapsody Orchestra.
The “Couples of the Year” are:
Steven and Marjory Pante of Manalapan, N.J.: Mr. Pante, an agent with State Farm Insurance, has facilitated grants for local agencies. Mrs. Pante has been employed by Nabisco Foods and as a real estate agent for Century 21.
Patricia and Cesare Perfetto of Todt Hill: Among the organizations the couple has supported through volunteer work and fund-raising are the Academy of St. Dorothy and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Mr. Perfetto is owner of the Perfetto Contracting Corporation.
Henry A. and Sandra Setaro of Hillsborough, N.J. Mr. Setaro is president of Appleseed Homes and Mortage Links. The Wounded Warriors Program is among the programs he supports.
Dr. Theodore and Valerie Strange of Tottenville: Dr. Strange, an internist with a specialty in geriatric medicine, is co-founder and executive vice president of University Physicians Group, a large multi-specialty group practice. Among his appointments over the years, he currently serves as chairman to Congressman Michael Grimm’s health-care advisory committee. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award and the 2007 Louis R. Miller Leadership Award are among the awards he has received acknowledging his contributions to the community.
A substitute teacher at St. Joseph-b-the-Sea High School, Mrs. Strange is an active member of the Staten Island University Hospital auxiliary, including co-chairing the golf and tennis outing for many years.
Joseph and Nicholas Manfredi will receive the Community Business Leaders Award. The father-son team owns and operates Manfredi Auto Group, a community-minded business with several locations on Hylan Boulevard. A board member of Maimonides Hospital, Brooklyn, and supporter of Italian-American organizations, Joseph Manfredi sets the tone for combining business and philanthropy. Providing opportunities for youth soccer is one of his primary goals.
Dr. David Olsen will receive the Man of the Year award. Dr. Olsen is a retired dentist from the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn. He is serving his fifth (non-consecutive) term as a member of the board of trustees of Eger Lutheran Homes and Services. He is the chairman of the Health Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Frances Hogan-Meyers of Grymes Hill will receive the Stella Award. Ms. Hogan-Meyers is director of community relations and volunteer services of the Staten Island Mental Health Society. Among the many awards that recognize her community service, she is a 1999 Advance Woman of Achievement.
