{"id":41407,"date":"2025-11-16T17:40:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T17:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/41407\/"},"modified":"2025-11-16T17:40:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T17:40:19","slug":"echos-five-million-reasons-to-smile-gala-another-smashing-success-inside-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/41407\/","title":{"rendered":"ECHO\u2019s \u2018Five Million Reasons to Smile Gala\u2019 \u2014 another smashing success | Inside Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s Note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at benanti@siadvance.com.<\/p>\n

\"Echo\"Members of ECHO’s Board of Directors smile for the camera at the “Five Million Reasons to Smile Gala” at the Addison Park. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 ECHO\u2018s exceptionally lavish \u201cFive Million Reasons to Smile Gala,\u201d pulled out all the stops at the Addison Park recently, the Aberdeen, N.J. event that featured extravagant decor, haute couture fashion, gourmet dining \u2014 and distinguished guests and honorees.<\/p>\n

Nearly 600 revelers, including Borough President Vito Fossella and his wife, Mary Pat Fossella, witnessed the magic of the Emergency Children\u2019s Help Organization \u2018s (ECHO) annual fundraiser that celebrated the Charleston-based non-profit\u2019s 5 million dollars in grants awarded to children in need.<\/p>\n

\"Echo\"From the left,\u00a0Borough President Vito Fossella, Anne Fiumefreddo, Mary Pat Fossella, Suzanne Burke and friends of ECHO.\u00a0(Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Founded by Sebastian Angelico in 2008, ECHO was born from his vision to come to the aid of children who often lack the necessary resources during a medical crisis.<\/p>\n

\"Echo\"Members of the Executive Committee and friends of ECHO (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Angelico is a steady supporter of charitable organizations, and has contributed in myriad ways to non-profits who also assist the elderly and infirm.<\/p>\n

\"Echo\"Sebastian Angelico, ECHO’s founder and chairman and Florence Angelico (Courtesy\/Christine DelDuca)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Proceeds from the posh event support ECHO\u2019s mission to provide financial assistance to children experiencing a challenging medical or living emergency.<\/p>\n

The gala served as a time to herald several individuals dedicated to community service on the local level and beyond.<\/p>\n

\"Echo\"From the left, honoree, Anthony Compagnino and Sebastian Angelico. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Recognized for their unwavering support that evening were 2025 award recipient honorees with names like Vic Tartara, a Board of Director, and Anthony Compagnino, a member of the Executive Committee.<\/p>\n

Frank Minniti was presented with The Frank Fiumefreddo Above & Beyond Memorial Award and Gerald Amerosi of Gerald Peters, received the Reflections of Kindness Award.<\/p>\n

Connor Kukal was the recipient of The Volunteer of the Year Award.<\/p>\n

\"ECHO\"Jennifer DeNivo, Grant Recipient Speakers Jaime and Thomas Citera, Angie Galano, and Vincent Angelico and Sebastian Angelico, focus on the guest speakers. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance\"Echo\"Susan Brienza and her daughter, Jessica Brienza. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

MORE ON THE GALA<\/p>\n

Raffles galore included a Mercedes-Benz or a $50,000 cash prize, a Rolex watch, a Women\u2019s Chanel bag raffle, a Year of Dining Raffle, spectacular gift baskets and more. <\/p>\n

\"Echo\"Julia DelDuca (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance\"Echo\"Realtor, Robert DeFalco, center, and friends. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Community leader, Terry Tarangelo delivered an outstanding rendition of \u201cGod Bless America.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Echo\"From the left, Thomas and Jaime Citera, Terry Tarangelo, Philip Guarnieri, Maureen Surette, Fran Tutone, Sahinaz CC Arcuri, and Jeanne Sarno (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance\"Echo\"From the left, Karen Gallo, Julianne Angelico, and Donna Grado. (Courtesy\/Frank Angelico)Staten Island Advance\"Echo\"Katherine Ciaravino of DiTommaso Realty, second from left, ECHO’s new Board Member, and friends. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance\"Echo\"Vincent and Carol D\u2019Elia, standing left, and family members. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance\"Echo\"Friends of ECHO (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance\"Echo\"From the left, Angie Galano and Jennifer DeNivo. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

COMMENTS FROM THE PODIUM<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, we are celebrating not just $5 million in grants awarded, but a shared vision brought to life,\u201d said Angelico, who is also chairman of the Board. \u201cReaching $5 million in grants awarded is a testament to what compassion, collaboration, and commitment can achieve together. On behalf of the Board of Directors of ECHO, I would like to thank our supporters, partners, and staff \u2014 your belief in our mission has turned hope into lasting impact. <\/p>\n

Seventeen years ago, I could not have imagined that we would be awarding our \u20185 millionth\u2019 dollar at any time in the future…But, by God\u2019s Blessing, we have done so during the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. Please accept my sincere gratitude to everyone of ECHO\u201ds supporters over the years. Thank you!”<\/p>\n

\u201cEach one of our supporters, past and present, has played a vital role in making a real and lasting difference in our community,\u201d noted Vincent Angelico, vice chairman of ECHO. \u201cYour dedication, generosity, and belief in ECHO\u2019s mission have helped us lift others and build hope where it\u2019s needed most. On behalf of our entire team, thank you for standing with us!\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Echo\"Honoree, Frank and Annmarie Minniti, Pasquale and Denise Loporcaro, and Scott and Lorri Tierney (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing nearly 600 guests come together tonight fills our Board with immense pride and gratitude,\u201d continued Pasquale Loporcaro, the executive director of ECHO. \u201cTogether, we\u2019ve reached an incredible milestone\u2014over $5 million in grants awarded\u2014and we\u2019re on pace to give more <\/p>\n

A LITTLE ABOUT THE HONOREES<\/p>\n

Compagnino, has been part of the ECHO Family for a number of years. <\/p>\n

An esteemed Board Member, he is currently ECHO\u2019s Treasurer, also serving on the Executive Committee. <\/p>\n

He and his family have not only supported the cause, but have played a key role in ECHO\u2019s evolution and has been being actively involved in facilitating fundraising and recipient events.<\/p>\n

Tartara has been an asset to the ECHO Board also providing support and awareness to the cause and has been part of the ECHO family for several years prior to joining the Board. <\/p>\n

\"Echo\"Honoree, Vic Tartara, Annmarie Minniti, Michelle Tartara, and honoree, Frank Minniti. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

FRANK MINNITI<\/p>\n

Passionate, generous and refined are just a few words that describes Minniti, the 2025 recipient of the Frank Fiumefreddo Above & Beyond Memorial Award.<\/p>\n

A member of the ECHO family since its inception, Minniti serves as the event committee co-chairman and executive committee member, he\u2019s consistently going above and beyond in every imaginable way to further ECHO\u2019s mission. <\/p>\n

GERALD AMEROSI SR.<\/p>\n

The Reflections of Kindness Award was presented to Gerald Amerosi Sr., a community leader who has supported a number of causes on the local level and beyond.<\/p>\n

\"Echo\"From the left,\u00a0John Barbieri, Niles French, Gerald Amerosi, Sr., honoree, and Joseph Ferrara. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

As owner of Gerald Peters, one of Staten Island\u2019s premier jewelry stores, Amerosi and his family\u2019s have been generous donors not only to ECHO, but to other non-profits as well.<\/p>\n

CONNOR KUKAL<\/p>\n

Since he was a child, Kukal has been lending his time and energy to event preparations, annual newsletters, and a number of behind-the-scenes efforts assisting ECHO staffers with, invitations, and other essential operations. <\/p>\n

\"Echo\"Honoree, Connor Kukal (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Truly an inspiration for today\u2019s youth, Kukal exemplifies the importance of volunteering within the community. <\/p>\n

\"Echo\"Raymond Masucci, center and Sebastian Angelico, center right, and friends of ECHO. (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance\"Echo\"Executive Committee Members, Eddie Scalzo and Vincent D\u2019Elia (Courtesy\/Joey G)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Congratulations are in order for ECHO\u2019s newest Board of Directors, Gerald Amerosi Jr. of Gerald Peters and Katherine Ciaravino of DiTommaso Realty.<\/p>\n

Also, to ECHO\u2019s newly appointed Executive Committee members, Gary Fleming of Emerald Realty, the Social Media Committee co-chairman, and to Eddie Scalzo of Country Donuts, who will serve as the Social Media Committee\u2019s co-chairman. <\/p>\n

CELEBRATIONS – NOV. 16 TO NOV. 22<\/p>\n

NOV. 16<\/p>\n

Sunday is birthday time for Vienna Profeta, an Advance Woman of Achievement in the Class of 2002, to Marlene Springer, George Sieghardt, Joseph Ocella, Kristy Ventre, Doreen Pompilli and twins Martin and Daniella Cusack. \u00b6<\/p>\n

Happy wedding anniversary Sunday to Isabelle and Glen Pillarella.<\/p>\n

NOV. 17<\/p>\n

Birthday greetings Monday go to Mike Lee Sr., Robert Bartow, Richie Nielsen, who turns 80, Anthony Rappa, Cecelia N. Brunner, co-author of the two Images of Ameria \u2014 West Brighton Books, and Davie VanName.<\/p>\n

NOV. 18<\/p>\n

The happiest of birthdays on Tuesday to Gail Neal, Ray O\u2019Neill Jr., Salvatore Alessi, Jack Kiley, Natalie and Julie Wiseiewski, Ray Mankowski, Patricia Mazza and Cara Masucci.<\/p>\n

NOV. 19<\/p>\n

Birthday best on Wednesday to Diane Lore, Paul Floridia, Michael Passante, twins Richard and Russell Verdi, Miriella Spadafora Rosenblum, and Alex Zablocki. <\/p>\n

Happy wedding anniversary Wednesday to Rosemarie and Steven Barnickel.<\/p>\n

NOV. 20<\/p>\n

Happy birthday on Thursday to Amelia Maligno, Greg Dale, Joe Berardi and Christopher Anthony Micho who turns 18 and Tom Morrongiello. <\/p>\n

Thursday is wedding anniversary time for Donna and Tommy Mignone, John and Lisa Golterman and Theresa and Andrew D\u2019Onofrio.<\/p>\n

NOV. 21<\/p>\n

Celebrating birthdays on Friday are Mary Lee, Ann Marie Henderson, Gail Fernandez, Michael J. Perkert who turns 18, Joan Galant, William J. Slaven Jr., Casey Romano, twins Laura Gwen and Douglas Gil Cala, celebrity chef, Rob Burmeister, Roy E. Smith, and Diane Nicole Arrigo.<\/p>\n

NOV. 22<\/p>\n

Saturday is birthday time for Barbara Danischewski, Ronald Kilichowski, twins Adam and Brandon Kruse, and Ryan Brucato, who will be 22.<\/p>\n

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Editor\u2019s Note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders making waves, being seen,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41408,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":["post-41407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-staten-island","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-staten-island","tag-staten-island-headlines","tag-staten-island-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}