By:Jerry Burke
"I think the one person we really have to thank tonight is Rosario Fuschetto," Elmont Elementary Teachers' Association President Rosemary Romano said of the owner of King Umberto's restaurant. "Every penny of the $30 each of us paid for the tickets tonight is going toward the event."
In appreciation of Fuschetto's donation of the entire buffet dinner, Romano and the chamber presented the soft-spoken restaurateur with a pair of cufflinks.
The Elmont Chamber Children's Field Day, set for Saturday, May 22, is a celebration of the youth of Elmont. "We're planning on having an Olympics-style day of competition," said Gateway Youth Outreach Director Pat Boyle. "It's a great way for us to be able to get families together for a good time."
While the pole vault and discus throw have been left off the menu of activities, Boyle says the events will focus more on fun than on athletics. "We'll have three-legged races, tossing games and a few surprises," he said. "It's going to be great."
After a few scheduling conflicts with other local children's organizations last year, Boyle said he worked things out with most of the groups, and May 22 ended up being the best day for the field day. As an added bonus for those attending, members of the Long Island Dragons Arena Football team and various mascots from local sport teams will be on hand to greet the kids.
In addition to Fuschetto's generosity, other members of the Chamber donated gift baskets and prizes for a raffle. A good chunk of the prizes ended up going to the elementary school teachers in attendance. Legislator John Ciotti even got into the fun, donating a gift certificate to Off-Track Betting to the cause.
Boyle also made a request for volunteers for the event, which begins at the Dutch Broadway school fields at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m., and for help with setting up. "I think we're going to have a heck of a good time," said Boyle, who can be contacted by those interested in volunteering or donating at (516) 328-1550.
