The Senate’s Women of Distinction Program honors the remarkable efforts of local residents who contribute to making our communities better, our families stronger, and serve as examples to others. Ann Torcivia is active in her community, serving as President of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce and Levittown Kiwanis, and is the founder and president of The Joey Foundation, Inc, which she started in memory of her son, who tragically passed away in 2000 from Aplastic Anemia, a rare blood disease.
“It is my great pleasure to congratulate Ann Torcivia, a kind and passionate lady dedicated to helping others, as my 2016 Woman of Distinction,” said Senator Kemp Hannon. “She is a remarkable woman, giving of herself to benefit others, and is highly deserving of this honor.”
Torcivia’s philosophy is “when life gives you lemons, you truly make lemonade,” and her foundation’s mission is to “Make A Child Smile.”
“We help sick and needy kids in the New York community,” said Torcivia. “We gave over 700 Easter baskets to kids in shelters and Christmas gifts to over 500 kids, most of them in shelters.”
Through the foundation, Torcivia not only helps children in the immediate community, but also globally. The Joey Foundation raised money to put a new roof on a school in Jamaica and collected more than 2,000 used books to send to schools throughout Jamaica.
