Honor Maria Castellano Award

2018 WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and WHEREAS, Maria Castellano has given not only of her time and energies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has been designated for special honor; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Maria Castellano upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Joseph Saia Lifetime Achievement Award by American Legion Kings County Youth Recreational Facilities, Inc. to be celebrated at its 24th Annual Baseball Banquet on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at Gargiulo's Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, American Legion Kings County Youth Recreational Facilities, Inc. provides and maintains baseball fields for use by neighborhood youth organizations and schools in Brooklyn, New York, allowing thousands of children to play baseball in a clean and safe environment at no cost to them or their families; and WHEREAS, A prominent business woman, Maria Castellano uses her superior skills and vast knowledge to promote the local economy and make her community a better place for individuals to work, live and play; and WHEREAS, Maria Castellano became interested in learning about the business world as a teenager; after successfully completing her high school internship at Paine Webber, she was offered a full-time sales position, and subsequently, worked on Wall Street for the next 10 years; and WHEREAS, After the birth of her daughter, Maria Castellano decided to change her career path in order to not only be a successful business woman, but also a devoted single mother; in 2001, she opened The Children's Party Shop, a center for children's birthday celebrations located in Bensonhurst, New York; through her exceptional leadership and enthusiasm, she managed the thriving business until 2009; and WHEREAS, Today, Maria Castellano is a Licensed Associate Broker and the Rental and Commercial Manager of Ben Bay Realty Co. of Bay Ridge, New York; just like everything she has ever done in her life, she worked hard and became a valuable asset to the company; and WHEREAS, Maria Castellano has been called upon to contribute her time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given of herself unstintingly; and WHEREAS, Maria Castellano is a vital and important part of her community; she is a proud member of The Kiwanis Club of West End/Dyker Heights/Marine Park, and in March of 2017, she received the Ultimate Fighter Award for her steadfast efforts to raise awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in honor of Pietrosfight.org; and WHEREAS, For her unremitting commitment, and drive, Maria Castellano was the recipient of the 2016 Power Woman In Business Award along with certificates of merit, congressional recognition and city counsel citations for her exemplary service to the community; and WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a period of constructive involvement, Maria Castellano has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Maria Castellano has displayed throughout her life; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Maria Castellano upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Joseph Saia Lifetime Achievement Award; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Maria Castellano.