STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Project Hospitality will host its 40th annual Harvest Gala on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. in LiGreci’s Staaten to benefit the interfaith effort to serve the needs of hungry and homeless.
Honored with the Richard E. Diamond Memorial Award for Exemplary Commitment to People in Need, will be the late Dr. Salman Zafar.
The Staten Island United Federation of Teachers will receive the Denis P. Kelleher Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to the People of Staten Island.
Jon Del Giorno will be presented with the Catherine (Mac) and Pearse O’Callaghan Memorial Award for Social Justice.
And Tami DiCostanzo, executive director of RSVP Serve and head of the Americorps Service Program for Staten Island, will accept the Monsignor Finn Service Above Self Award on behalf of Americorps RSVP Program of Staten Island.
Tickets are $150 per person.
To purchase tickets, visit projecthospitality.org or phone 718-448-1544.
Dr. Salman Zafar
Dr. Zafar, a dedicated Project Hospitality volunteer, along with his wife and son, conducted free health clinics, health screenings and vaccinations for decades at Project Hospitality Port Richmond storefront.
He also organized holiday meals from the Muslim community for homeless and hungry Staten Islanders at the Project Hospitality Homeless Drop In Center and Port Richmond storefront of El Centro and served for many years as the Chair of Quality Improvement and secretary of the Board of Directors.
Dr Zafar, who died in 2021, was a physician in the NYC Health and Hospitals health care system.
Jon Robert Del Giorno
Del Giorno, a lifelong Staten Islander, has advocated for poor and disenfranchised communities for 40 years. He will receive the Mac and Pearse O’Callaghan award for Social Justice. The late Pearse O’Callaghan was a mentor to Jon in his social justice advocacy work.
His public service to Staten Island has included a run for North Shore City Council seat and active volunteer leadership roles in fighting for LGBTQ rights and the rights of immigrants.
He is a founding member of Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno LLC, a firm that has provided pro bono and low-cost advice, consulting services to help fledging Staten Island not profits trying to navigate access to government funding to carry out their mission.
Staten Island United Federation of Teachers
Borough representative Sean Rotkowitz and the Staten Island Office of the United Federation of Teachers have repeatedly coordinated one of Project Hospitality’s largest food donations efforts annually, collecting over two tons of food to help Project Hospitality food pantry through the distribution of holiday pantries and meals for hungry Staten Island families.
Additionally, the UFT holds a longtime commitment to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Midland Beach, where hundreds of UFT members don pink and march in solidarity to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
The annual event not only supports a vital cause but also showcases the union’s commitment to health and community wellness.
SIUFT is also a key participant in the borough’s annualNight Out Against Crime along with community leaders of the NYPD.
The Staten Island UFT hosts an annual back to school barbecue, where, along with other community partners, they give away hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to the families on Staten Island.
Tami DiCostanzo
For nearly 60 years, the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program has connected older adults with meaningful volunteer opportunities – providing an opportunity to share their time, talents, and experiences to assist their neighbors in need.
Established in 1966 by the Community Service Society of New York, Project SERVE (Serve and Enrich Retirement by Volunteer Experience) was a pioneering initiative harnessing the expertise and dedication of older adults to meet community needs.
Starting with just 23 volunteers assisting residents at Willowbrook State School, the program demonstrated the profound impact senior volunteers can make—laying the foundation for a legacy of service that continues today.
The group evolved into RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) one of the largest volunteer networks in the United States, and is now part of AmeriCorps Seniors.
DiCostanzo will be accepting the award on behalf of the program and will be joined by RSVP volunteers.
The AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Program of Staten Island’s history includes a more than three-decades long partnership with Project Hospitality.
RSVP connects individuals to volunteer with various Project Hospitality programs.
Each week 11 volunteers serve four days a week helping to feed tens of thousands of neighbors in need.
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