FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Sandra Amato
Email: sanparm@aol.com
“Caring people and Italian food”
Lincroft Chapter of UNICO
Caring people and a love for good Italian food were the key ingredients
for the success of the February 2, 2008 fundraiser for Jean Gaeta. Jean is a fellow
Italian-American from
Jean has always worked very hard and always helped others before herself. This is why the fundraiser was so important to the members of the Lincroft Chapter of UNICO.
We wanted to give something back to Jean for all the times she gave to others.
The fundraiser was possible because Paul Cresente, owner of Ninette’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in
Additional funds were raised through silent auctions. Thanks to our local merchants’
the fundraiser was a great success. We could not have had such a successful fundraiser
if it wasn’t for the generosity and the caring community we live in.
Lincroft Chapter of UNICO would like to express our appreciation to the local merchants that participated in the fundraiser they were:
Count Basie Theatre – Red Bank
Kramer Portraits – Red Bank
The Atlantic Club – Red Bank
Zebu – Red Bank
Airbrush Tanning – Fair Haven
Cleaners J Organic Dry Cleaner – Lincroft
Victoria Raffael Salon – Tinton Falls
Art-n-Motion –
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came out and had dinner with us in support of this cause. The total amount that was raised for Jean was $3,750. The check was presented to Jean and we wish her lots of health and happiness.
United as members, we have the collective strength and enormous potential to make a difference within our community.
UNICO is a non-political and non-sectarian organization. The name UNICO means “one” or “only” or “only one of its kind”. The letters of UNICO stand for:
U = Unity N = Neighborliness I = Integrity C = Charity O =
For information about Lincroft Chapter of UNICO please e-mail Sandra Amato at sanparm@aol.com
UNICO National’s Motto is to “Service Above Self”.
Pledging "Service Above Self," Two River Italian-Americans Form Chapter Of UNICO
By Joan La Banca
LIKE MOST ITALIAN restaurants, Ninette's in Tinton Falls is usually closed on Monday nights. But, on the first Monday of every month, an interesting event takes place, thanks to the generosity of owner Paul Crescente. Paul is one of the charter members of the new Lincroft chapter of UNICO, an Italian-American service organization whose goal is to make a difference in the community, and whose motto is "Service Above Self." Paul is happy to open the restaurant on his day off to host the monthly UNICO meeting while the board and the members attend to business and enjoy a delicious Italian meal.
The Lincroft chapter of the group was founded in September 2007 with 30 charter members. The president and founder of the chapter is Mark Mastroberti of Lincroft. Mark was introduced to UNICO by a colleague of his who is an Ocean County district head for the organization. Mark is extremely proud of his Italian heritage and wanted to start a local chapter in honor of his father. The group is dedicated to promoting the generous nature of the local Italian-American community, doing benevolent acts for those less fortunate, and promoting the Italian heritage.
Other board members of the Lincroft chapter are Daniel Petrocelli (Vice President), Vincent Pollitto (Treasurer), Bernadette Grabowski (Secretary), and Anthony Aragon (Sergeant at Arms).
The January meeting of UNICO was held on Monday January 7th, and the group had the pleasure of inducting five new members. "Our goal is to have 50 members by the end of the first quarter of this year, and 100 by 2009," said President Mastroberti in his remarks.
He reminded the group of the meaning of the letters of UNICO; U for Unity, N for Neighborliness, I for Integrity, C for Charity to all and malice to none, O for Opportunity.
Mr. Mastroberti also reviewed the opportunities for the group to nominate candidates for approximately 10 scholarships and awards offered by UNICO National.
"It is such a nice group of people, and everyone cares so much and is very giving," says Sandra Amato. Sandra is a native Italian, whose family moved to Red Bank from Campobasso (near Naples) when she was a little girl. "I wanted to join in order to help people," she continues, "since even though we give in other ways, this is a very direct way to help." The organization is off and running very quickly. Their first "cause" is to help a local woman, Jean Gaeta, who is a fellow Italian- American from Middletown. Two of the UNICO members submitted a request to help Mrs. Gaeta, who is a widowed mother of two daughters and has recently been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Without much ado or bureaucracy, the members voted to help Jean Gaeta, and immediately $1000 was raised from the members' dues and contributions. Additionally, a fundraiser will be held on Saturday, February 2 at Ninette's restaurant (in the Tinton Falls Plaza next to the A&P food market). Reservations for the evening are not necessary and Ninette's is BYOB. Owner Paul Crescente will donate 15% of all proceeds from the evening from 5 p.m. until closing; additional funds will be raised through a silent auction and raffle.
All that is needed to join UNICO is that you or your spouse be of Italian descent, that you have a good and giving heart, a love of your Italian heritage, and of course, a love of Italian food! The annual membership fee is $50. For anyone interested in sending donations for the benefit of Jean Gaeta, checks can be made out to the "Lincroft Chapter of UNICO" and sent to P.O. Box 401, Lincroft NJ, 07738.