Wining, dining to help kids

Five Towns Kiwanis has held a Wine Night dinner for the past six years in memory of a longtime member who not only became the statewide Kiwanis governor, but also helped establish a children’s trauma center and a program that ensured that emergency responders had devices sized to properly treat kids.

Alfred Bevilacqua, a lifelong Cedarhurst resident who died in 2010, rose through the Kiwanis ranks, and his impact is still felt by the children who are treated at the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, which is part of Northwell Health. The trauma center opened in 1991.

Bevilacqua, a 1953 Lawrence High School graduate also helped create the program that provided emergency medical responders with Until then, equipment was designed only for adults. The programs have reduced deaths by 80 percent, trauma center officials said.

“It’s one of the most important contributions for helping children. and no one knows about it,” said longtime Kiwanis member Leon Teramo, who along with Tom Cohen — the Five Towns president — Anthony Campanile, Brian Rappaport and Barry Ringelheim, chaired this year’s event at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club on April 20. It included a meal and wine tasting. Proceeds support the Alfred and Rita Bevilacqua Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Scholarship Fund, a $1,000 annual award given to a high school student who volunteers there. It is presented at the center’s Black & White Ball in October.

Headed by Dr. Jose Prince, the trauma center is the largest in the state, and was the first to be designated a Level I pediatric trauma center by the American College of Surgeons. It is staffed by pediatric specialists in every discipline, ranging from surgery to internal medicine. Trauma Program Manager Danielle Sargeant said that all doctors, nurses and other care providers are constantly trained to provide the best care possible. They have treated children who have suffered injuries in vehicular accidents, falls and sports injuries. There are also Kiwanis trauma centers in Albany and Buffalo.

“As the only cure for trauma is prevention,” Sargeant said, “the trauma team is dedicated to developing and implementing injury prevention strategies across the region in collaboration with our system hospitals.”

Growing up in Cedarhurst, Tom Bevilacqua, Alfred’s son, saw his father continually give back to his community, not only as a Kiwanian, but also as a member of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339 (he served as a commander), as president of the Inwood Buccaneers Athletic Club, as a member of the Order Sons of Italy Leonardo da Vinci Lodge in Inwood, and with the Lynbrook Elks Club.

“He was very active, and my mother was side by side with him in everything he did,” said Tom, who graduated from Lawrence High in 1975. Rita Bevilacqua died last year. She was affectionately known as First Lady Rita. Tom is the oldest of three, including sisters Lydia Schaeperkoetter and Cheryl Cannizzaro. “All three of us grew up and saw how he helped everyone,” Tom added of his father.

After a surfing accident near the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach seven years ago, Tom, a New Jersey resident, saw what doctors and nurses do firsthand at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, N.J. Since then he has volunteered at the medical facility, working with patients and helping them overcome their injuries. “It’s something I like to do,” he said. “It’s a way of giving back.”

Teramo, a retired physical therapist, said that he spent his professional life helping people, and that is why he became a Kiwanis member. He remembers a time years ago when there were over 150 members of the Five Towns club. Now there are 50, he said.

“The feeling of doing something for someone in need is very rewarding,” Teramo said. “I can’t understand why more people, especially retirees, don’t get involved in a worthwhile endeavor such as Kiwanis.”

To get involved, email Kiwanis.five.towns@gmail.com.

Have a story about how Kiwanis or the trauma center helped you or someone you know? Send it to jbessen@liherald.com.