Kiwanis Club of Astoria and Long Island City President Dr. Arthur N. Gualtieri. The Kiwanis Club of Astoria and Long Island City held their annual holiday auction and fundraiser on December 3 at Riccardo’s by the Bridge in Long Island City. The evening opened with remarks from new Kiwanis President Dr. Arthur N. Gualtieri and Treasurer Linda Perno. More than 100 items would be put up for auction during the evening plus there were a number of additional items, for the raffle. Gualtieri stated that the hearts and prayers of the Kiwanis family were with the victims of Hurricane Sandy and the Nor’ Easter. More than 15 Kiwanis clubs supplied volunteers during the early weeks of the crisis. Before the auction began, Perno thanked all the sponsors and friends who had donated items and services. Celebrity auctioneers included former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. and Paul Vallone, state Senator Michael Gianaris, Assemblymember Aravella Simotas and Queens Gazette Publisher Tony Barsamian, who did the lion’s share of auctioneering.
George L. Stamatiades happily modeled his new Nautica sunglasses.
Photos Gabrielle Winkel “It’s my favorite night of the year,” Barsamian proclaimed as he encouraged the audience to keep raising their paddles. “It’s for charity,” he added enthusiastically. Students from Hunter College’s Circle K club assisted with the auction in an elf-like capacity.
For more on the local Kiwanis Club and its activities visit their new Web site at kiwanisastorialic.org.
Paul Halvatzis presented the “Magic Carpet” from Astoria Carpets.
Halvatzis happily paid for and posed with Peter Vallone Sr.’s tie.
Halvatzis donated a Ron Lewis lithograph of Mickey Mantle which was also signed by the Yankee slugger. It brought in around $300. Linda Perno (l.) helped coordinate the auction.
As she doesn’t wear ties, Assemblymember Aravella Simotas (c.), with Queens Gazette Publisher Tony Barsamian and NY Anti- Crime Agency Director Tony Meloni, (r.) donated her favorite cashmere scarf to the auction.
State Senator Michael Gianaris gave up two ties for charity, while Peter Vallone Jr. sacrificed one. Paul Vallone parted with his beloved Jerry Garcia tie when assured the bidding would start at $100. It did.
