 The choir performing. |
 Distinguished Past Gov. John Gridley. |
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 From left, Gov. Eric G. Paul, Lt. Gov. J.P. Di Troia, Past Gov. Joseph Aiello, Past Lt. Gov. Steve Sirgiovanni, Gridley and Gov.-Elect Forbes Irvine. |
On Jan 7 the Queens West Division held a wine and cheese fundraiser for the Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation at the U.S. Columbarium in Middle Village.
It was a Kiwanis star-studded event with a surprise visit from Gov. Eric G. Paul. Also in attendance were Gov.-Elect Forbes Irvine, Distinguished Past Gov. John Gridley; Immediate Past Gov. Joe Aiello, Immediate Past Lt. Gov. Steve Sirgiovanni and Queens West Lt. Gov. and U.S. Columbarium President J.P. Di Troia who sponsored the event.
Governor Eric Paul lit the beautiful 16-foot memorial tree. A choir of adults with various disabilities from the Family Residences Essential Enterprises in Bethpage performed for the attendees. You see the performance of the choir at Queens West Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Queens-West-Division-Kiwanis-International/1495654700689912.
A reading from a letter from Marion Conway, an adult who has the condition for 30 years, was read by Middle Village member Annette Scalise. Mrs. Conway could not make the event do to illness.
Distinguished Past Gov. John Gridley, who is vice president/treasurer: of the foundation, spoke about the good works of the foundation.
All and all it was a gratifying event with the tremendous support of the clubs of Queens West Division. The event raised more than $2,200 for the Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation.
Click on the link below to see coverage of the event in the Queens Ledger.
(Posted January 17, 2015)
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