Patty Vacchio honored as Inwood’s Citizen of the Year

Longtime Inwood resident Patty Vacchio, a Lawrence High School alumna who dedicates her time to many endeavors, including the Inwood Buccaneers youth athletic club and Inside Inwood website, while also working three jobs was honored as the Inwood Civic Association Citizen of the Year at the annual dinner on Saturday. Vacchio works as an administrative assistant at Lawrence Woodmere Academy; she is night and weekend manager at Inwood Financial Services and president of her family business, All Star Engraving,

Town of Hempstead Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, Town of Hempstead Councilman James Darcy from the Third District and County Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) were in attendance to honor Vacchio. “You’ve made an impact on so many people,” Bonilla told her. “Please continue to do the great things you do, we need people like that in this community.”

Inwood Civic Association 2nd Vice President Pete Sobol spoke on behalf of Wheels Around the World, an Inwood based organization that collects wheelchairs and sends them to those in need worldwide. “Camp Patty is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to young children who need a hug, those who need a warm meal or just needs someone to listen,” he said. “I don’t know how many kids she’s saved but Camp Patty is ongoing and we thank her. There is nothing this woman can’t do.”

Organizations such as Wheels Around the World and the Inwood 5K run event, spearheaded by Sobol and Mike DeRosa, presented Vacchio with donations for her non-profit organization, eNVy, embracing noble values for young people, which she and her family started in memory of her son, Nicholas, who died in October after suffering from a mental illness. The organization aims to reach struggling youth in the community.

In her acceptance speech, Vacchio recognized the neighborhood for her charitable efforts. “This community has given me the opportunity to serve those less fortunate,” she said. “Inwood is a remarkable town.”