New kids’ classroom, toys for children in need is top priorities
of annual Staten Island Realtors’ Holiday Party
Staten Island, N.Y. (Dec. 5, 2011) – The Staten Island Zoo is on its way to having an up-to-date kids’ classroom, due to the fund-raising efforts of local Realtors and help from Z-100 radio host Elvis Duran.
Preparing to place scores of toys donated by Staten Island Realtors into the hands of Community Health Action for distribution are, from left, John Shevlin, director of client services, Community Health Action of Staten Island; Kathy O’Leary Garbarino, president, Staten Island Board of Realtors; Detrice McGriff, associate director, Community Health Action of Staten Island, and Sandy Krueger, CEO of the Staten Island Board of Realtors.
Duran mingled with partygoers throughout the evening, while a variety of exotic animals, courtesy of the zoo, added to the festivities.
In addition to raising $10,000 to renovate the children’s learning room at the West Brighton facility, members of the Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR) contributed scores of new toys to Community Health Action of Staten Island’s holiday-season toy drive for children in need.
The fund-raiser and toy donation were a top priority of SIBOR’s annual holiday party, which took place Thursday (Dec. 1), at the Excelsior Grand in the Staten Island, N.Y., community of New Dorp.
Kathy O’Leary Garbarino, president, Staten Island Board of Realtors, thanks Z-100 radio host Elvis Duran for adding to the success of the fund-raiser.
“This is the latest example of how the hard work and generosity of our Island’s real estate professionals contribute to the betterment of our community,” said Kathy O’Leary Garbarino, president of the Staten Island Board of Realtors. “The results of the fund-raising initiative are particularly remarkable in today’s economy, and would not have been nearly as successful without the support of our local business sponsors and the volunteer efforts of SIBOR’s Winter Wonderland Holiday Gala committee, especially committee chair Laird Klein and co-chair Tracy Cangiano.”
SIBOR’s $10,000 contribution toward renovation of the Staten Island Zoo classroom will help to enhance the learning experience of elementary-school age children who visit the site, said Ken Mitchell, executive director of the facility.
“In recognizing our attendees’ educational and comfort needs, the zoo needs to significantly upgrade the appropriate facilities to provide a fun attraction that complements our learning curriculum,” Mitchell said. “The commitment of Staten Island Realtors to children and education cannot be overstated and will benefit visitors to the zoo for years to come.”
EVENT SPONSORS
Sponsors of the fund-raising holiday party included: J P Morgan Chase; Continental Home Loans; PrimeLending; Wells Fargo; Staten Island Advance/SILive.com; Robert DeFalco Realty; United Northern Mortgage Bankers; HSBC; Vitale Sunshine; Jack Stern, Attorney at Law; Total Relocation Services; Christopher Dai, Esq.; Centralized Showing Service (CSS); Advisors Mortgage Group LLC; Cangiano Estates; A.Davino Electrical Contracting Corp.; Colonial Funeral Home; Relevant Public Relations; Law Firm of Merlino & Gonzalez; Empire State Bank; Trezzco Warehouse Inc., and Wohl and O’Mara LLP, Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers.
About the Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR)
The Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR) is the largest not-for-profit trade association in Staten Island, N.Y.
SIBOR exists to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically; and to promote the preservation of the public’s right to own, transfer and use real property.
Comprised of over 1,800 members, SIBOR serves real estate agents, brokers and affiliated professionals throughout the borough and surrounding areas.
SIBOR is the provider of the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service (SIMLS), which works as a clearinghouse through which more than 250 local real estate firms exchange information on properties they have listed for sale. Together, its members participate in over 3,000 real estate transactions every year.
All SIBOR members belong to the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
SIBOR may be reached at 718-928-3220 and visited online at http://siborrealtors.com.
About the Staten Island Zoo
Since its inception in 1936, the Staten Island Zoo has ventured to develop, extend and disseminate knowledge and appreciation of zoology and branches of natural history through educational programs and research while maintaining a collection of living animals. The zoo attracts approximately 166,000 individuals each year.
The Staten Island Zoo may be reached at 718-442-3100 and visited online at http://www.statenislandzoo.org/.
About Community Health Action of Staten Island
The mission of Community Health Action of Staten Island is to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities challenged by health disparities related to poverty, discrimination and lack of access through service, education and advocacy.
The organization may be reached at 718-808-1300 and visited online at http://chasiny.org/.
Media Contact: Barton Horowitz
Relevant Public Relations, LLC
Headquarters: 718‑682‑1509
Mobile: 917‑715‑8761
Email: Bhorowitz@RelevantPR.com
