Thank you to everyone who came out to support us for the return of our Annual Benefit & Silent Auction on October 13, 2022. The much-anticipated night, held at the beautiful Villa Russo in Richmond Hill, commemorated 28 years of SHAREing & CAREing’s cancer support services to the Queens community. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, dinner, dancing, awards, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and an emotional presentation of the organization’s work in the community, all led by Master of Ceremonies Jospeh Pistilli.

Award Recipients

This year we have the honor of acknowledging an incredible group of award recipients, all who have made a difference in our community. We are deeply grateful for the energy and devotion of these special people:

Gerry Caliendo

Principal, Gerald J. Caliendo Architects

Gerry Caliendo is a lifelong resident of Queens, born and raised in Woodside and resides with his family in Fresh Meadows. Gerry is a licensed Architect and has an office in Briarwood, Queens. Gerry is the principal of Caliendo Architects and employs a staff of 50 employees, who are Architects and Expediters. Gerry was appointed to the Queens Community Board #1 in Astoria in 1977 and Chaired the Land Use Committee for over 10 years and after 45 years is still and active member. Gerry served as the President of Queens Chapter of the AIA from 1995 to 1997 and has been an active member since 1989. Gerry was appointed to the Board of Directors of the King Manor Museum, the Historic House and home of Rufus King, Founding Father and signor of the Constitution in Jamaica, Queens, where he served for the past 15 years and has served as the President of the Board of Directors and is currently still on the Board. Gerry is on the Board of Queens Center for Progress which provides services and supports to children and adults who have developmental disabilities. Gerry is on the Board of Directors of the Queens / Bronx Builders Associate is a trade organization with more than 300 construction-related member companies. The QBBA is the only local association devoted to building and preserving homes and communities by promoting the Queens & Bronx construction industry. Gerry finds his greatest enjoyment in being a good husband and father to his three children, serving his community in his many civic and philanthropic roles, as well as mentoring his employees and aspiring architects. {READ MORE}

Gerard Misk

Partner, Ginsburg & Misk, LLP

Jerry Misk was born in Beirut Lebanon & raised right here in Queens. Jerry grew up in Jackson Heights & attended Our Lady of Fatima, Archbishop Molloy H.S. and St. John’s University, all in Queens. He earned his Law degree from St. John’s School of Law in 1991. He practices as a trial lawyer in New York and is regarded as among the top in his field. Jerry is a named partner in the Law firm of Ginsburg & Misk LLP located in Queens Village, NY. Since joining the firm in 1998, it has grown to 8 attorneys and has practice areas ranging from injury law to transactional real estate and most everything in between. Jerry is a member of the NYS Bar Association, the Armenian Bar Association, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and many other bar associations and professional committees. Jerry has been involved with charitable organizations his whole life starting with the Jackson Heights Volunteer Ambulance Corp when he was a teenager. He served as an EMT and Crew Chief and participated in fundraising for the corp. He has raised funds for the PAL in the 115 Precinct and countless other causes. For over 35 years he has volunteered his time, money and energy in the operation of a children’s summer camp in upstate NY. Camp Nubar is owned by the Armenian General Benevolent Union of America and Jerry has served in multiple roles over the decades. Jerry is particularly drawn to SHAREing and CAREing as he comes from a family of survivors. Both of his parents have successfully battled the disease and recently his brother has also fought and conquered the disease. His family is fortunate to have had the means to deal with the trials and tribulations of these battles, but Jerry is hopeful that his participation in SHAREing and CAREing will help alleviate the burdens of those less fortunate. Jerry lives in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey with Andrea, his wife of 29 years, and their daughter Allison, a student at Marist College. {READ MORE}

Maria Alaimo

Senior Partner, Maria Pia Alaimo P.C.

Maria Pia Alaimo has dedicated her law practice to representing clients in Workers’ Compensation, Real Estate and Estate matters. She has been running her own firm since 2007. A St. John’s University alum and graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Maria has spent the past 25 years serving her community through law and practice. Based in Astoria, her practice specializes in helping workers understand their rights, and protecting them when they are met with difficulties. She has a great passion for real estate, wills and elder law which allows her to continue supporting her clients and their families even when they can no longer take care of themselves. Through her work in real estate and estate planning, she is able to ensure all her clients and their descendants have a foundational framework they can continue to build and grow their lives on top of. Maria has also had the opportunity to serve as a Court Evaluator and Guardian Ad Litem to be a voice for those unable to speak, whether they are elderly or incapacitated. A child of Italian immigrants, Maria understands the struggles of underserved communities, and works to ensure all parties have their legal disputes fully heard and weighed so that the law is upheld fairly. She is proud to be part of the New York State Bar Association, Queens County Women’s Bar Association, Columbian Lawyers Association, and Injured Workers’ Bar Association. {READ MORE}

Lucas Alfaro

Community Recognition Award

A recent graduate of Hopkins School, Lucas will be attending Columbia University this fall where he hopes to pursue a degree in history and the law. From the time he was a young boy, Lucas has been community minded. In 2014, his mother Jennifer was diagnosed with breast cancer. After witnessing his mother’s experience as a breast cancer survivor, Lucas knew that he needed to get involved and help the cancer community. Familiar with the work of SHAREing & CAREing, Lucas undertook a number of small fundraisers on its behalf including cupcake sales and deferring birthday gifts in lieu of donations to the organization. Active in student government, he founded a SHAREing & CAREing Club at his high school to help raise awareness about breast cancer. Interested in creative writing, Lucas is currently working on his first novel. Residing in Connecticut with his parents, Gino and Jennifer, and his sister Evelyn, Lucas has the distinction of being SHAREing & CAREing’s youngest recipient of its Community Recognition Award. His entire family, including older brother Nikko, his sister-in-law Jenna and nephew Julian, as well as his grandmother Roseanne, are extremely proud of him and his many accomplishments. {READ MORE}

Sponsors & Supporters

The staff, board, and volunteers of SHAREing & CAREing are indebted to this event’s incredible and generous supporters, as well as the the continuing support we receive from our community for our cancer support services. We couldn’t do it without you!

Journal Printed by Lincole Lithograph | Tel: 718-886-1514

We are particularly grateful to our generous sponsors: Fiserv, The D&F Development Group, Meridian Capital Group, LLC, BBH Solutions, Inc., Ginsburg & Misk, First Central Savings Bank, Caliendo Architects, Latos Latos and Associates PC, Maria Pia Alaimo P.C., Pistilli Realty Group, Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union, Alfaro Family, Cord Meyer Development Company, Flushing Bank, NYC Health+Hospitals/Queens, OMEGA Brokerage, Ponce Bank, Presti & Naegele, Queens Cancer Center of NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, and Signature Bank.

Thank you for another incredible year!

Photos & videos courtesy of LMS Entertainment