86th Street Bath Beach Kiwanis club recognizes local leaders

It was a night to give back to those who give so much ofthemselves. On September 27, the 86th Street Bath Beach KiwanisClub had their first annual dinner gala at Sirico’s on 13th Avenuebetween 80th and 81st Street in Dyker Heights. The organizationhonored seven individuals for their work within the community.

It feels wonderful, said honoree Fran Vella-Marrone onreceiving the award. It’s a pleasure to be honored by anorganization that’s been around for a century.

Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis was in attendance to supporther friend Vella-Marrone, who is president of the Dyker HeightsCivic Association.

I’ve known Fran for years and she’s been a wonderful advocatefor the people of Brooklyn, Malliotakis said, adding: I lookforward to working with Fran for many years to continue to makeSouth Brooklyn a better place to live, work, raise a family andstart a business.

In addition to Vella-Marrone who won the Kiwanian CommunityService Award, the other honorees were Andy Manicone, recipient ofthe Outstanding Patriot Award; Jerry Albano, recipient of theOutstanding Humanitarian Award; Fred Daretta, recipient of the PastPresident and Kiwanian Laureate Award; Marvin Weinberg, recipientof the Finemaster Award; Eileen LaRuffa, recipient of the KiwanianCommunity Service Award and Anthony Neglia, who accepted a specialaward on his father’s behalf for being a past president andfounder.

It’s an honor to be presented this award with the othernominees who always helped him make 86th Street and the Bensonhurstcommunity what it is, Neglia said, referring to his father’slegacy.

The elder Neglia was an active member of Community Board 10 inaddition to founding the 86th Street Bath Beach Kiwanis Club.

He was a very selfless individual, Neglia said of his father.One of his favorite expressions was ‘we do this for the needy, notthe greedy.’