Making a difference in the community

Proud parents stood tall to take pictures of their kids as they were being honored as winners of the Michael J. Ferraro Community Service Awards, a 34year tradition that took place during the 62nd Precinct Community Council’s monthly meeting at St. Finbar.

“It’s always a big thrill for us,” said community council President Louis Trimboli, who added, “It affords us the opportunity to say ‘thank you’.’”

The Michael J. Ferraro Awards represent the longest-running award program in Brooklyn precincts.

Twenty kids from private and public schools from around Brooklyn were honored, receiving numerous certificates and medals from different local elected officials.

Included in the 20 honorees was Adam Lee, from St. Athanasius School, whose father was Kevin Lee, a police officer who was killed in 2006.

“Your father would be proud of you,” Trimboli told Lee, who was accompanied by his grandparents, while he continued talking about the great examples that all of these kids give to the rest of the community, explaining that he believes it takes many volunteers’ hard work to “help run the city.

“It’s about going into your community and making a change,” Trimboli noted. “You have the opportunity to make a big difference.”

Also honored that evening were two auxiliary police officers who helped maintain calm during the Sandy gas shortage situation and the chaotic days that followed the storm in October of last year.

Auxiliary Police Officers Wing Tim Kong, and Taras Chokoy were recognized with the 2013 George Brossard Memorial Award as they got a standing ovation from those present.

The other kids who received awards were: Naddgeena Jerome, Rabia Hussain, Bridget Biesty, Karen Chavez, Maricris Maasilongan, Nicholas Delli Paoli, Haxell Castillo, Annie Huang, Dejvi Meni, Raymond Cho, Thomas Simmons, Lina Povolotskiy, Gabrielle Mazza, Danielle Salvador, Leslie Rivera, Tomasso Marasca, Jessica Sparacio, Christopher Ku and Christina Li.

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