Wantagh Chamber of Commerce’s Good Guy Award acknowledges a resident or business owner who has generously contributed their resources and time to the community. This year’s ‘Good Guy’ is Joe Iavarone, president of one of Long Island’s most successful family businesses, IB Foods and Iavarone Brothers supermarkets.
Iavarone, a third generation family member, operates the Wantagh location at Cherrywood Shopping Center. He and his family have been longstanding active supporters of the Wantagh community and the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce, where for several years he served as a trustee. He co-chaired “Taste of Wantagh” an event that showcased the community’s dining venues held at Mulcahy’s Pub.
“It is an honor for the Chamber of Commerce to pay tribute to Joe Iavarone, the 2012 ‘Good Guy’ Award Recipient,” said Outgoing Wantagh Chamber President Chris Brown. “Personally and professionally he has been one of the greatest supporters of Wantagh; Iavarone Brothers is an institution that has been an anchor of our business community.”
Some of Iavarone’s philanthropic efforts include co-founder of Syosset High School Booster Club, supporter of Town of Hempstead concert series, UCPN, March of Dimes, Autism Speaks, Juvenile Diabetes Research and Children International.
Wantagh Chamber President-elect, Denise Langweber said, “Joe has been a longstanding, consistent supporter of not just the Wantagh Chamber, but community programs, events, and fundraisers; his frequent philanthropic efforts have also benefited many schools, libraries, scholarship programs, civic and cultural organizations and houses of worship throughout Long Island.”
This year the Iavarone family initiated an annual scholarship for high school seniors residing in Wantagh, in honor of their recently departed mother, Angelina.
Iavarones operate four stores across Queens and Nassau counties, in Wantagh, Woodbury, Maspeth, and the newly expanded New Hyde Park location. Visit: http://www.iavarone.li/ for more information and a list of services.
