Today was a busy day with back-to-back appearances! My first stop was at the JFK Airport. The JFK Rotary Club had organized their annual JFK 5K Runway Run on the terminal of the airport. Now how many people can say they stepped foot onto an airport runway? I was invited to assist with the event, speak about the Miss New York Organization, and hand out awards to all the winners. This event originated in April 1973 thanks to Tom Carmody, one of the founders of this club. The Run on the Runway race has become one of the major fund raisers for the JFK Rotary Club. Funds raised from the race are used to support scholarships, sponsor terminally ill children from countries with limited medical and technological services, and for life-saving heart operations at local hospitals. It was an honor to be present for this monumentious event. Special thank you to the JFK Rotary Club, especially Rudy Auslander, for embracing me with open arms and inviting me to participate in such a successful event.Click HERE to learn more about the JFK Runway Run
and click HERE to view my personal page the Rotary created for me!
Jerry Spampanato, JFK Airport General Manager
Jesse Cromer, JFK Rotary President
Rudy Aslander, Event Organizer and JFK RotaryMember
Diane Carmody, wife of Tom Carmody (founder of JFK
Runway Run, 1973) and Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano
After that amazing morning I headed back to Staten Island. I made an appearance with the Alzheimer's Foundation of Staten Island at their annual Food and Wine Festival. The Renaissance played host to this extravagant event full of speciality dishes form Staten Island's best restaurants and desserts prepared by local bakeries. Not only did I get to enjoy all of the delicious food, but I was asked to be a celebrity server! It was a ton of fun! Jack LiGreci, owner of the Staaten, was presented with the Robert R. Merlino Memorial Endless Pastabilities Award for his dedication to the foundation's food fundraiser.
Gladys Schweiger, Executive Director of Alzheimer's Foundation
