Annual Fundraiser Supports Vital Programs for Children and Adults of All Ages
GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, October 2023 – FCA, one of Nassau County’s oldest and largest nonprofit health and human services organizations, will be hosting its Fall Harvest Celebration Thursday, November 9 at the Heritage Club at Bethpage. Newsday Media Group Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano will emcee the celebration. This annual event is FCA’s largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds provide critical funds that bolster the programs and services that support more than 35,000 Long Islanders annually.
This year’s honorees are John and Rose Dionisio of Garden City. John is the Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Global Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (GISI), a privately owned business that invests in and helps grow engineering and construction management companies. GISI firms include the Structure Tone Organization, the largest privately held U.S. construction management company. Its most recent Long Island project is the construction of a new engineering building at Hofstra University. The LiRo Group, another GISI firm, is currently completing work on the Grand Central Long Island Railroad station and new terminal projects at JFK Airport.
A professional engineer for more than 50 years, John joined AECOM, a global engineering company, fresh out of college and worked there 45 years, retiring in 2015 as Chairman and CEO. He was awarded the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
John and Rose have been married for over 51 years. Rose retired from teaching after 40 years of service in both the New York City Public School and Franklin Square systems. She currently teaches faith formation and is a member of the Parish Council at the Church of Saint Anne in Garden City.
Anthony Rizzuto will receive the James J. Harnett Humanitarian Award. A licensed social worker and alcohol and substance abuse counselor (CASAC), Anthony has been working in the substance abuse field for more than 21 years. He currently serves as Director of Provider Relations and Program Director for the Power and Control program and Family Program Coordinator at the Seafield Center treatment program in Westhampton Beach. Anthony is the founder of F.I.S.T., Families in Support of Treatment, a not-for-profit organization designed to organize, support, educate, guide, and provide resources to families who are struggling with a loved one’s addiction.
Anthony has served as President of the Long Island Chapter of EAPA (Employee Assistance Professionals Association), a Board Member of the Long Island Recovery Association and is a member of the Nassau County Heroin Task force. He also serves on the Credentialing Board and the Talent Management Workgroup for the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
Rea Gjenashi and Joanna Peng, two outstanding students from North Shore Central School District, will be co-recipients of the Carol Wessel Humanitarian Award. As fifth graders at the Glenwood Landing Elementary School, Rea and Joanna worked extensively to educate their classmates about homelessness. Joanna presented a comprehensive, age-appropriate slide show for her fellow students on homelessness and Rea discussed her book, “A Tale on 20th Street” – about two boys who live in a homeless shelter.
The two also organized a school-wide backpack drive collecting donations including toothpaste, socks, crayons, and other items to for families in homeless shelters.
“We are so grateful to the people in our community who work to help their Long Island neighbors,” said Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, FCA President & CEO. “In addition to it being our largest annual fundraiser, the Fall Harvest Celebration gives FCA a chance to thank the community of donors and volunteers who rally around our mission. The needs in our community are significant. The generosity of our supporters help us sustain critical programs that enhance the lives of children, young adults, seniors and families.”
Attendees of the Harvest Celebration include local government and business leaders, donors, beneficiaries, and friends. All proceeds from the Fall Harvest Celebration will help to enhance FCA’s programs and services for Long Island’s most vulnerable children, families, seniors and communities. For more information or to purchase tickets, sponsorships, or make a donation, please contact Chief Development Officer & Vice President of Strategic Advancement Paige O’Brien at POBrien@fcali.org or visit www.fcali.org/harvest
About FCA
FCA is a not-for-profit agency helping more than 35,000 Long Islanders each year. For nearly 140 years, the organization has worked to protect and strengthen vulnerable children, seniors, families, and communities on Long Island.
FCA believes in the potential of Long Island – a place where no child, senior, family or community is left to struggle alone with barriers to health care, education, employment, or economic prosperity. Long Island continues to be one of the greatest places in the world to live and raise a family for many; FCA exists to ensure that be the case for all.
For more information about FCA, visit FCALI.org.
