20-somethings aim to make a difference
They are ordinary people who look to do extraordinary things. Some call them leaders or role models, but regardless of the label, this group of young people is striving to make a difference.
Just a few weeks ago, on Dec. 3, the trio of young professionals saw their hard work come to fruition. More than $2,500 was raised for St. Francis Hospital, known as the “heart center,” at a fundraiser organized by the group. It was a beautiful experience, said Valley Stream resident Imtiaz Insanally, 28, who brought the group together to put on the charitable event.
“It meant a lot,” said Insanally, who founded Bristol & Windsor LLC, a small marketing and advertising firm. “It is a great way to open the holiday season. People still want to give.”
Insanally selected this year’s recruits, known as the “Young Professionals Making a Difference” fundraising committee, to organize the event. Insanally had done the project last year, having so much fun that he wanted to do it again, he said. Both Insanally’s sister, Nazika, and John Seminerio, both of Valley Stream, had attended last year’s inaugural event, and they were very impressed and wanted to participate this year. And Seminerio told his friend, Jessica Scarlata, of Oceanside, about the project. Thus, the committee was formed.
The matter was dear to Insanally’s heart, having had a close relative who had open heart surgery at St. Francis in 2008.
But for Scarlata, getting involved was even more personal. The 22-year-old recent Mount Saint Mary College graduate had open heart surgery for a congenital heart defect at St. Francis when she was just 3 years old. “It is great to see family and friends come out for this cause,” she said.
Each committee member asked for support and donations from several local businesses, elected officials and their family members, friends and neighbors. There were also raffles, as gift baskets were given out to lucky guests.
Seminerio, a 24-year-old SUNY New Paltz graduate, said there were so many donations, making the event a success. “It was a bunch of great people working together,” he said. “I hope we can continue to meet up and do a couple of fundraisers each year for St. Francis. It feels good to give back for a good cause.” He also said he learned a lot, including great communication skills, from Insanally.
The fundraiser, committee members said, was a great experience. About 30 people came out for the intimate event, where both New York State Assemblyman Brian Curran and Valley Stream Village Justice Bob Bogle praised the group for their efforts. Curran gave a citation to each of the three members.
“I was so happy, and it was amazing,” said Nazika Insanally, a 24-year-old substitute teacher at Shaw Avenue Elementary School in District 30. She wants to be a part of the committee next year, she said.
Scarlata, who is studying for a master’s degree in instructional technology, learned a lot for this project. “It showed that a small group can make a significant difference,” she said.
