By:Nicole Falco
Hockey tournament held to benefit Giammona family
When the call went out in Valley Stream that there was a family who needed help, residents and businesses responded by raising over $18,000.
Last weekend, the Valley Stream Roller Hockey League sponsored the "Vinny Giammona Roller Hockey Tournament," a three-day event to raise money for Vinny's wife, Theresa, 31, and their four daughter's, Francesca, 8, Toni-Ann, 6, Daniella, 2, and Nicolette, 4.
Giammona, a lieutenant stationed with Manhattan's Ladder 5 Engine 24 on Sixth Avenue, heroically gave his life on Sept. 11 - his 40th birthday.
"This was supposed to be an all-star weekend, but, instead, we are honoring the biggest all-star of them all - Vinny Giammona," League President Pete Jonker told the crowd gathered at the Valley Stream roller hockey rink.
Captain Anthony Varriale of Ladder 5 Engine 24 added, "The fact that you are here having this tournament [means] you've defeated [the terrorists] because this is what they are against...our way of life."
The tournament was the brain child of Lou D'Arco, a member of the League and Giammona's friend and neighbor for the past eight years. D'Arco is quick to point out that the entire League as well as Valley Stream residents and businesses donated time and money to make this event possible.
The League raised the money through the sale of ad space in a commemorative book entirely put together by D'Arco. Family, friends, residents and businesses offered loving messages as well as support to "Vinny's girls." The League also sold T-Shirts, baked goods and raffle tickets. Raffle prizes included an autographed hockey stick, a hockey helmet and pants as well as gift certificates from local businesses. Theresa was also presented a check for $2,160 by her and Vinny's niece, Dorothy Caudullo, 11, of Connecticut, who sold pins and baked goods at her school to raise money.
"This was the easiest sell I've ever had. Everyone in the village, all the hockey families, did all they could," D'Arco said. "We needed to do a fund-raiser in light of the situation. Vinny was a great guy...he left behind a great family."
The League's 500 participants were broken up into 25 teams that played non-competitive games between Oct. 26-28. Giammona's eldest daughter, Francesca, is one of only three girls on the League. Francesca was honored with a "Most Valuable Girl" trophy by the League.
"I know my husband is looking down and he is so happy watching Francesca play hockey. She's his hockey star...she's been playing since she was five," Theresa said as she watched her daughter score two goals.
Although it was tough for Francesca to put her skates back on after Sept. 11, she did. Hockey was something Francesca and Vinny did together. Francesca had been teaching her dad how to skate backwards and "Vinny swore Francesca was going to go to college playing hockey." Francesca now wears an FDNY patch sewn onto her uniform and carries a picture of her dad in her hockey helmet.
As for the tournament itself, Theresa said, "I'm so overwhelmed by the whole thing. I was in such shock and it's still hard for me to accept it [but] it makes me feel good because I know that there are still people out there who are good."
Support for Theresa and her family did not end with this tournament. Besides support from family and friends, Captain Varriale said, "We constantly keep in contact with her. She'll learn that she'll never run out of support...we'll be her other brothers."
