Foundation’s First Annual Safety Fundraiser
On Saturday, Jan. 29 the Joey Foundation held its first annual safety fundraiser at the South Levittown Lanes. Over 120 bowlers turned out in support of the Foundation’s cause, including supporters of the Marty Lyons Foundation, Kiwanis members, dozens of friends, residents, and local officials.
“It was a very emotional day for me because I had one of Joey’s doctors there, one of the therapists, and Joey’s best friend Cameron, from Queens,” said mother of the late Joey, Ann Torcivia.
The Joey Foundation was started six months ago to honor the memory of the late Joey Torcivia. Joey was initially diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, but died in 2000, when he was in first grade, from complications of pneumonia.
The Foundation awarded the first recipient of the Joey Torcivia Live Life to the Fullest Award. In March 2010, Joey’s first-grade teacher Ann Pinelli received the award for her commitment to being a caring educator. Throughout the school year, Pinelli helped her classroom of first-graders at Bowling Green Elementary School in Westbury cope and understand what was happening to Joey, from his illness, to his hospital stay, and ultimately, his death.
The Foundation now seeks nominations for a person who has made a difference in the life of a child. There is no restriction on nominee requirements. Bios can be submitted to Ann Torcivia at Friends Travel in Levittown through August. The winner will be chosen on Sept. 30, Joey’s birthday.
On Friday, Mar. 11 the Foundation will hold another fundraiser to raise the remaining funds needed for the purchase of a robotic bicycle for the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center at North Shore Hospital. The robotic bicycle teaches cycling safety workshops to young children.
The event, “Rock the Rainforest” Dance Party will be held at Industry Night Club from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring live ’60s-’80s music from Mid-Life Crisis. Central American themed appetizers will be served. Tickets are $30 and include admission, unlimited beer, and soda and one raffle entry for a trip to Costa Rica. Additional raffle entries can be purchased for $5 each.
