On Sunday, December 8th, over 400 gathered for the annual Friends & Family Holiday Celebration at Leonard’s Palazzo, hosted by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) New York Metro board member, Theresa Brucculeri. Guests raised an impressive $200,000 for RMHC New York Metro, directly benefitting sick children and families.
Since the first Friends & Family holiday party in 1983, Brucculeri has helped to raise over $5.5 million for RMHC New York Metro. The holiday party is one of many ways the Brucculeri family has contributed over the many years they’ve been involved. As a founding board member, Theresa has personally championed the Ronald McDonald House since its founding in 1986.
Dancing through the holidays
The Friends & Family program included spectacular dance performances from the Glen Dance Studio. Dancers wowed guests with renditions of The Nutcracker and other holiday classics set to a beautiful backdrop at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck. As the cocktail hour continued, children enjoyed face painting, balloon animals, and cotton candy. Hours of dancing and merriment carried through the night in celebration of the holiday season.
In attendance were the Viggiano family. In 2019, Karen and Frank’s twin boys endured a long hospital stay in the NICU at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. The family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park for months until Frankie and Anthony were strong enough to come home. Now in kindergarten, the twins are healthy, active little boys with a love of superheroes (and Santa!)
Care and comfort for families
The 42-bedroom Ronald McDonald House at 267-07 76th Ave. in New Hyde Park is located just steps away from Cohen Children’s Hospital. The House provides the comforts of a home and compassionate care that meet the unique needs of families with sick children. By providing access to top hospitals and doctors, families are able to stay nearby and involved in their children’s care.
Today, RMHC New York Metro operates the Ronald McDonald House as well as two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital with a Hospitality Cart program. Together, these programs provide respite, overnight accommodations, meals, and care to over 7,000 families every year who are dealing with a pediatric medical crisis.
Giving Thanks
Friends & Family Holiday Party sponsors included:
- Theresa & Jack Brucculeri
- DDS Mechanical
- Friends & Family Event Committee: Antoinette, Cathy, Debbie, Lilly, Lisa, Phil and Sara
- Gabrielli Family
- Leonard’s Palazzo
- Chervenak-Nunnalle Foundation
- National Environmental
- Dr. George Lombardi
- Tom & Sherri Deluca
- Cathy & Dominick Acquista
- Broad Hollow Road Realty, LLC
- Frank Marando Landscape, Inc.
- Dubner Landscaping & Construction
- Arianna Sorrento-Callahan
- OLBS Mrs. Joan Kane & Friends
- Local 808 Ozzie Loverme
- Vincent & Ann DiRico
Friends & Family Vendors included:
- QG Floral & Landscape
- Pedestals Floral Decorators / Phil Sammut
- Drive Up DJs / Ivan Galarza
- Hoon Sohn Visuals
- Photomenal Photo Booth
