Long Island Board of Realtors® Honors Spirit Award Recipients

Media Contact: Christina DeFalco-Romano Email

The Long Island Board of Realtors® Inc. (LIBOR) is pleased to announce the fall recipients of the Realtor® Spirit Award, members of the fundraising committee of LIBOR’s Suffolk North Shore Chapter (SNSC): Gina Amen of American Real Estate Associates, Inc., Carolyn Borriello of American Real Estate Associates, Inc., Rose Torraca of Coldwell Banker Residential and Dawn Viola of Remax Signature; in recognition for their tireless fundraising efforts for the Sunrise Fund. 

It was important to the SNS Chapter to support a charity dear to their hearts that is based right in their community. The Sunrise Fund was established in 1999 by dedicated parents, to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to raise funds for new treatment facilities, family programs and cutting-edge research. Since its inception, the Sunrise Fund has enabled Stony Brook medical staff to establish innovative programs, such as the School Intervention program, a support group and more.  The School Intervention and Re-entry Program, the only one of its kind on Long Island, helps children and young adults diagnosed with cancer make a smooth transition back into the classroom.  With these beautiful children in mind, the Chapter fundraising committee brought to light the idea to support this cause by creating and organizing a fashion show fundraiser.

In its second year, the School Days Fashion Show showcased fellow Long Island Realtors® as models, joined on the runway with their featured "stars," Stony Brooks Little Miracles, children and young adult cancer survivors.   Months of preparation was shared by each of the committee members, from selecting the venue, gathering donations and sponsorships from various companies, selling tickets, arranging the music and merchants to loan the outfits worn by their models, program and banner designs, to preparing and hosting a fantastic evening.   Last year’s event raised $15,000, which was surpassed by this year’s astounding total of $18,000.  This event also gave the children and parents an opportunity to celebrate their recoveries and be recognized for their extraordinary courage.  For more information on this worthy cause, please visit www.hsc.stonybrook.edu/sunrisefund.

The Realtor® Spirit Awards program recognizes Realtors®, individually, as an office or team, who have made a difference and have had a positive impact in their local community through their volunteer work, charitable efforts, youth related or other activities that demonstrate outstanding commitment to community service. Realtors® selected for this award receive a $1,000 donation to the charity / organization / program of their choice.  Earlier this year Realtor® Kathy Genovese was recognized for her work with the K9 Navigators Assistance Dogs Inc.

Pictured at the event are (l-r) Dawn Viola, Gina Amen, LIBOR PR Committee Chair Donna Wolfe, Rose Torraca, Carolyn Borriello and LIBOR PR Vice Chair Matthew Arnold.  Photo courtesy of One Fine Day Photographers.