Valley Stream woman all about community service

Annmarie Giunta was honored by Assemblyman Brian Curran, left, as a woman of distinction. She also was recognized by Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

When Annmarie Giunta got a letter in the mail from Assembly Brian Curran, stating that she was going to be recognized at his Women of Distinction awards ceremony, she couldn’t believe it.

“I thought it was an error,” said the lifelong Valley Stream resident. “I called Brian’s office. I cried when I found out it really was for me.”

Giunta was recognized by Curran along with seven other women from the 14th Assembly District at a ceremony on Sept. 17 at the Lynbrook Public Library. Curran chose her for her work with the Valley Stream Special Education Parent Teacher Association, Girl Scouts and Holy Name of Mary Church.

She grew up in North Valley Stream, attending St. Boniface Elementary School in Elmont before moving on to Valley Stream North High School. Giunta moved to the village in 1978 to raise her family. She admits she wanted to move to the village so she and her children could take advantage of the Valley Stream pool, which, when she was a child, was not open to Central High School District residents living outside the village’s boundaries.

Her children attended the William L. Buck School, just a few blocks from her home, and South High School. Giunta’s son, Sal, is working toward his master’s degree at Adelphi University to become a math teacher. Her daughter Felicia attends Hunter College as a dance education major.

When her children were in Valley Stream schools, Giunta got involved in SEPTA, an organization of parents, teachers and students that serves all four Valley Stream school districts and all 14 elementary and secondary schools. The organization, which advocates for both special education and gifted and talented children, grew during Giunta’s time.

She helped create an annual scholarship program, awarding money to graduating seniors at the three high schools, as well as sixth-graders at the 10 elementary schools. Giunta said the purpose of the scholarships was to recognize students for their hard work.

A main goal of the organization, Giunta explained, is simply to get information to parents about programs offered in the schools, education laws and how to prepare for a special education meeting. She noted that the work of SEPTA requires a collaborative effort. “We formed a team approach to education,” she said. “I really believe, in all my heart, that an education for any student is a partnership.”

Through her job at IBM, Giunta also helped to secure grants for Valley Stream’s high schools that the director of special education used to enhance programs and buy new technology.

Giunta was also a long-time Girl Scout leader. She and her co-leader, Kathy Vagnone, led several volunteer projects for the girls. They wrote letters to veterans and helped out at the Friends of Bridge annual fundraiser, among other work. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the troop traveled to Washington D.C. and presented signed posters to a representative from the Pentagon. Giunta and Vagnone led several girls to the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts.

Up until last year, Giunta was a volunteer religious education instructor at Holy Name of Mary Church, working primarily with preschool age children. “I loved it,” she said of that experience, which lasted 32 years. “It was great.”

Now retired and with her children all grown up, Giunta finds a little more time for herself but takes pride in her decades of volunteer work. She said giving back to the community is one of the greatest things a person can do. But she said she never did anything alone and won’t take all the credit for her accomplishments. “It was very rewarding to work with people who really loved what they were doing,” she said.

That modesty didn’t dissuade Curran from recognizing her. He said Giunta is a woman of compassion and determination. “She has dedicated a good portion of her life being a strong advocate for children with special needs,” he said. “I am extremely proud of Annmarie and grateful that she resides in the community of the 14th Assembly District that I represent.”

Giunta thanks Curran for the honor, as well as Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare and Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, who attended the ceremony. She also commended Curran’s staff for putting together a wonderful luncheon, and noted the caliber of women who were honored. “It was a dream. I was very humbled,” she said. “It was a beautiful day. I kind of felt like a princess for the day.”