Global Medical Relief Fund honors 8 at ‘Evening of Hope’ fundraiser – SILive.com

The Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF) hosted its annual "Evening of Hope" gala at the Vanderbilt in South Beach on September 15, 2022. Pictured from left are Erin Aversa, Michaela Aversa, John DePierro, Elissa Montanti, Carol Ann Benanti, Daniel J. Messina, Kerry Mitchell and Vincent Martucci. (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — When Elissa Montanti took to the podium at the Vanderbilt in South Beach on Thursday, addressing a room full of her charity’s supporters, she dramatically reinforced the reason for the gathering.
“These are my kids,” Montanti said, motioning to a table full of Tanzanian children who are currently staying with Montanti as they are fitted for prosthetic limbs. “Helping them is why we are all here.”
During the gala, Elissa Montanti, founder and CEO of The Global Medical Relief Fund, holds one of the children currently receiving medical care with the support of her organization. (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)
For Montanti, who serves Staten Island as the founder and CEO of the Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF), the return of her charity’s annual “Evening of Hope” gala was cathartic. Placed on hold for the past two years due to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, the this week’s social event drew close to 250 guests and honored eight Staten Island residents who have contributed greatly to the goal of her organization.
“During the pandemic I wasn’t sure if this charity would survive,” Montanti said. “But our work continued. And here we are.”
A group of children currently being assisted by the Global Medical Relief Fund gathers for a picture with some of the organization's volunteers. (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)
GMRF, which was founded in 1997, has now cared for more than 500 children from over 57 war-torn countries, helping them to receive prosthetic limbs and medical services that are unavailable to them in their hometown. This gala is not only the organization’s largest fundraiser, it also serves as a homecoming of sorts for all of the children who she has helped.
“Elissa and the Global Medical Relief Fund changed my life — actually they gave me new life,” noted Ngawang (Nay Wong) Tseten, a Tibetan refugee from India who lost both of his arms when he was accidentally electrocuted at the age of 14. Now 24, and a student at the College of Staten Island, Tseten credited Montanti and GMRF with completely altering his own personal trajectory.
Elissa Montanti addresses close to 250 guests during the Global Medical Relief Fund's annual gala. (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)
“I was very lost and didn’t see any future for myself,” he said. “But Elissa not only helped me to obtain medical help, she also helped me realize how to adapt to my situation and learn from it. Life is not always smooth sailing, but in my case, I believe this tragedy truly changed me for the better. Yes, I do not have full use of my arms. But look at the life and the opportunity that I do have now.”
Ahmed Shareef, who lost his eyesight and his right arm when he was only 7 years old during a bomb explosion in his hometown of Baghdad, Iraq, called Montanti an “angel on earth.”
“She’s my mom,” said Shareef, now 25. “This organization took me from the dark into the light. Without Elissa there was no future for me.”
Eight individuals were recognized at the event, including John DePierro, who received the Lifetime Ambassador Award; Carol Ann Benanti and Daniel J. Messina, who were presented with the Community Partner Award; Vincent Martucci and Kerry Mitchell, who received the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award, and Erin Aversa, Michaela Aversa and Kaitlyn Lee, who were presented with the Youth in Philanthropy Award.
“Elissa is doing God’s work, and we are proud to help in any way possible,” Michaela Aversa noted when receiving her award.
ABOUT THE HONOREES
JOHN DIPIERRO – LIFETIME AMBASSADOR AWARD
DePierro is former president and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Healthcare System, where he served for 30 years. The system included St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bayley Seton Hospital, St. Elizabeth Ann’s Nursing Home, Pax Christi Hospice and the Sisters of Charity Home Healthcare. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and served as a regent for New York State. He also was the chairman of the Hospital Association of New York State and chairman of the Great New York Hospital Association and a board member of Staten Island’s own Northfield Bank Foundation. He and his wife, Martha, reside on Staten Island. He is the father of four children, grandfather of 13 grandchildren, and he has one great-grandchild.
DePierro has been a proud sponsor and supporter of the Global Medical Relief Fund for more than two decades.
CAROL ANN BENANTI — COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD
Benanti is the Inside Out columnist for the Staten Island Advance/SiLive.com, as well as a features and news writer and arts entertainment reporter for the Advance Media Group.
She was formerly an Advance restaurant reviewer, writing under the pen name, Jolie Verde, and the Inquiring photographer in a news segment called “Just Asking.”
Benanti is an honorary member of Omicron Delta Kappa, (ODK) the National Leadership Honor Society at Wagner College.
She’s been recognized by a number of charitable organizations, including the Emergency Children’s Help Organization, (E.C.H.O.); New Direction Services; The Iron Hills Civic Association, where she served as a board member; The Pakistani Civic Association of Staten Island; the Staten Island North Star Lions Club; the Jewish Community Center; the Multiple Sclerosis Society; the World of Women; the Miss Staten Island Scholarship Pageant Association; the Visiting Nurse Association of Staten Island; The Italian Club of Staten Island Foundation; the Unity Games; IlluminArt Productions; Soroptimist International of Staten Island, and the Eger Foundation.
She was the recipient of Borough President James P. Molinaro’s Italian Heritage Award and was presented with the Fourth Estate Award from the American Legion’s National Public Relations Commission for outstanding achievement in the field of journalism.
The DaVinci Society of Wagner College, a foundation established to promote a greater understanding of Italy and the contributions of Italian Americans, presented her with the Community Service Award in recognition of her civic involvement.
Benanti and her husband, Anthony, were recognized by the Staten Island Friends for Hospice Care.
Together, the Benantis are the parents of Joseph and Anthony and grandparents of Joseph Sebastian, Everett Jon and Vivian Rae.
DANIEL J. MESSINA – COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD
Messina is president and CEO of Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), a role he assumed in April 2014.
Under his leadership, RUMC has established a comprehensive Breast and Women’s Center; an out-patient Comprehensive Physical Rehabilitation Center; a Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center,;new programs in robotic surgery; neurosurgery and neurovascular medicine; a Bariatric and Metabolic Institute for weight loss surgery; a state-of-the-art Center for Cancer Care and the Center for Integrated Behavioral Medicine, whose programs are leading the borough’s fight against opioid abuse.
He’s facilitated the development of a robust strategic plan leading to a partnership with Preston Hallow, a private equity firm that has created a financial engine to fund RUMC’s construction of a new 35,000-square-foot Emergency Department; a new co-generation power plant; a new surgical department, which includes 10 operating suites; a new state-of-the-art Medical Intensive Care Unit, and the renovation of the hospital’s Richmond County Savings Foundation Mother-Baby Center, which includes the conversion of all rooms to private single-bed suites.
Prior to joining RUMC, Messina served as: vice president of operations at Hackensack University Medical Center; the System Chief Operating Officer of CentraState Healthcare System for 13 years, where he was responsible for all system operations for the Medical Center; Monmouth Crossing Assisted Living Facility;The Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Applewood Estates Continuing Care Retirement Community.
He was an adjunct professor at several local universities and has been the recipient of awards from Seton Hall University, Wagner College, National MS Society, American College of Healthcare Executives and the New Dorp High School Hall of Fame, to name a few. He currently serves on the board of trustees for Greater New York Hospital Association, Health Care Association of New York State, formerly the American Hospital Association Region II, and the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation.
The most important part of his life is his family, including: late parents Rose and Sal; wife Debbie; son Daniel and his wife Ally; daughter Lianne and her husband Dr. Steven Erosa. In addition, his “pride and joy” are his grandchildren — Adeline Rose, Emma Rose and Ethan Max.
VINCENT MARTUCCI – OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Watch Commander Martucci began his career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2008 as a an officer.
Throughout his many years of service to the American people, he has worked at various CBP assignments, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Arizona, Texas, New York City and Washington, D.C.
He has always had a love for charity work, and over the years has helped to raise over $2 million for various charitable organizations.
Global Medical Relief Fund holds a special place in Martucci’s heart, and he’s always willing to help the organization with whatever it may need.
He has visited the GMRF house, spent time with the GMRF children, brought Santa Claus to the house and even helped paint the house with a group of fellow CBP employees.
Martucci is a proud father to Sabella and Catalina, proud husband to CBP Officer Antoinette Sabella, proud son to Steve and Tayde, and a proud brother to NYPD Detective Nicholas Martucci and Nassau County Police Officer Steven Martucci.
KERRY MITCHELL – OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Supervisory Customs and Border Protection Officer (SCBPO) Kerry Mitchell began her career in 1999 as a U.S. Customs inspector.
Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, she became a founding member of the Department of Homeland Security.
With the majority of her career spent in the intelligence unit S.H.I.E.L.D., Mitchell has worked in myriad locations, including Port Elizabeth, JFK, Texas and Washington, D.C.
In 2011, following the seizure of 750 pounds of cocaine, Mitchell was awarded the Blue Eagle award, one of CBP’s most distinguished honors, by the CBP commissioner.
In addition to her normal duties, she has gone above and beyond by directing fundraising for the JFK Health and Welfare Fund and mentoring young female leaders through the OFO 3L Alliance.
She has dedicated her career to community outreach work and service, including Operation Santa, Camping in the Park and the CBP Explorer Program.
She is inspired by the work of the Global Medical Relief Fund and greatly respects the efforts of Montanti.
Mitchell is the proud mother of two children — Doug, a 2022 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and Victoria, a licensed cosmetologist. She is also “mom” to a dog and far too many cats, with more to come.
ERIN AVERSA – YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY
Erin Aversa is a native Staten Islander and a resident of Dongan Hills, where she resides with her mom, dad, older sister and her dog.
She is currently a junior at St. Joseph Hill Academy, where she’s a member of the National Honor Society and participates in varsity tennis, basketball and golf teams, along with various clubs and volunteer activities.
Erin enjoys playing sports, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.
She has volunteered at GMRF since 2018 at various events, including fundraisers, pop-up pantries and a self-led fundraiser with friends and family that has raised more than $5,000 over the last few years.
MICHAELA AVERSA – YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY
Michaela Aversa grew up with her sister Erin on Staten Island.
A 2021 grad of St. Joseph Hill Academy, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the captain of the varsity tennis and golf teams, she is now a sophomore at Wagner College, where she’s enrolled in the five-year physician assistant program.
She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and has achieved Dean’s List status with a 4.0 GPA in her freshman year.
She also is a student ambassador at Wagner College and the assistant coach for Hill’s varsity golf team.
Aversa enjoys playing golf with friends, spending time with family and traveling.
She has volunteered at GMRF since 2017 at different events, including mission days while a student at St. Joseph Hill Academy and the self-led Aversa fundraiser with friends and family.
KAITLYN LEE – YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY
Kaitlynn Lee is a sophomore at Cornell University on the pre-med track, majoring in biology and society.
She is a cellist in the Cornell Symphony Orchestra and a writer for the Cornell Daily Sun and Healthcare Review.
She also works as a tutor for GoPeer and a curriculum writer for Scholarskills.
Lee completed an internship at Weill Cornell Medicine Quality Improvement Academy this summer.
She joined the Global Medical Relief Fund mission in 2017 as a project manager organizing the “Children Helping Children” Annual Fundraising Concerts.
She also joined her sister, pianist Meagan Lee, to take the concert program to the next level with their beautiful cello and piano duets.
They continued to perform the annual concert through the COVID-19 pandemic.
To date, their five annual concerts have proudly raised more than $12,000 to help the GMRF children, as well as much needed awareness.
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