Staten Island Giving Circle awarded $10K from Richmond County Savings Foundation
At the 10th Anniversary of the Staten Island Giving Circle at the Historic Old Bermuda Inn where a $10,000 grant was presented to the group by Cesar Claro of Richmond County Savings Foundation are from left, Evelyn Kormanik, Cesar Claro, Michele Yacovello and Charlotte Sciarrino.(Third-Party-Submitted)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Milestone anniversaries always warrant a celebration. But this month, members of the Staten Island Giving Circle marked more than just a decade of assisting the under served.
The organization was awarded its largest grant ever to date — thanks to Cesar Claro of the Richmond County Savings Foundation, who presented the group with a check for $10,000.
FYI: For those who aren’t aware, back in January of 2008, Evelyn Kormanik, an Advance Woman of Achievement in the Class of 2012, brainstormed the idea of forming a group of altruistic minds and hearts to organize workable projects to assist the community of community.
“The first meeting gathered 24 like-minded, giving personalities,” Evelyn said. “The 2018 kick-off meeting came together to celebrate the activities/giving of the now 700 active participants of the Staten Island Giving Circle with special recognition of the ‘original members’ who attended the January 2008 meeting.”
The Giving Circle also introduced its “Those Who Do” quarterly awards to team leaders who work tirelessly throughout the year: Phyllis O’Hanlon and Lucille Lenza were recognized for a decade dedication to working with the children at the Hospitality House (aka Project Hospitality).
“The group’s mission is to assist the under served children, seniors, military and homeless of Staten Island,” Evelyn said. “Since there are no membership fees or mandatory requirements for interested participants, they look to personal and business donors to assist the initiatives of their 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.”
All monies are disbursed to charities, on-going initiatives and new projects, she added, quoting poet Josiah Gilbert Holland: “There is no ‘Royal Road’ to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly endures.”
Hollands words form an apt description of the Giving Circle journey.
“Giving is a by-product of caring,” Evelyn said. “It’s impossible to give freely of one’s time and/or money if you really don’t care deeply about hardship.”
One of the long-standing initiatives fostered by the Giving Circle is the Adopt-a-Pantry project, where they seek out businesses, organizations and individuals to support one of the nearly 40 food pantries on Staten Island.
Since food deprivation is a huge issue, Giving Circle members remind all that people in need look for meals every day — and not just at holiday time. Since the inception of this initiative in 2014, the group has raised $40,000 donated to numerous pantries.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
The Giving Circle has also hosts bi-monthly birthday parties for the children of Project Hospitality’s homeless shelter, as well as holiday parties and movie nights and look forward to adding Saturday morning “pajama and book breakfasts.” The organization even provides new pajamas, books, bagels and juice.
School Enrichment Programs, however, are of utmost importance to Giving Circle outreach.
In fact, a portion of the grant awarded at the Jan. 17 meeting will go toward sending the “S.T.E.A.M. wagon” to five schools throughout the school year.
Funds also are earmarked for Teachers’ Closets (when school supplies are drained at under served schools) and Clothing Closets — especially winter outerwear for children in impoverished school areas.
The Staten Island Giving Circle also offers a unique “Charity Raffle” opportunity at the end of each meeting.
The tickets are $10/each; if the “pot” collects more than $500, there are two winners who choose the charity of his/her choice to which the monies are sent.
$100K (AND COUNTING) IN GIVING
To date, the organization distributes in excess of $100,000 to innumerable charities with the unique meeting segment.
The Staten Island Giving Circle meets at 7 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month at the Historic Old Bermuda Inn.
The group’s February meeting will be formatted as an open forum for all attending to banter about brand new initiatives they hope to add to their giving lists and to voice opinions, comments, concerns and suggestions.
Deacon Paul Kosinski, a long-time Giving Circle member and supporter, will serve as facilitator. All are welcome to attend.
If you are curious, have questions or want to know more about the Staten Island Giving Circle, contact Evelyn Kormanik at 718-980-4862 or e-mail the group at: sigivingcircle@aol.com or check out StatenIslandGivingCircle.org.
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