Caring for Friends on April 27 celebrated National Volunteer Month by honoring its top volunteers during a breakfast at Parx Casino.
The food program, formerly known as Aid for Friends, was founded 49 years ago by Rita Ungaro-Schiavone to feed the homebound and infirmed. Today, still inspired by Ungaro-Schiavone, Caring for Friends has a warehouse at 12271 Townsend Road in Northeast Philadelphia.
All guests received a T-shirt that included Ungaro-Schiavone’s words, “No one should be hungry or alone in a world of caring people.”
Caring for Friends honored the following:
• Rita Ungaro-Schiavone Volunteer of the Year Award: Geanna Williams Davis.
• Caring Breakfast Bag Assembly Group of the Year Award: People Acting To Help (PATH).
• Caring Community Organization of the Year: Tau Gamma Delta sorority.
• Caring Company of the Year Award: Parx Casino.
• Caring Faith-Based Organization of the Year: St. Denis Church, Havertown.
• Caring Family of the Year Award: Abdellah Abdul-Qawi and family.
• Caring Kitchen Group of the Year Award: Drexel School of Nursing.
• Caring Kitchen Volunteer of the Year Award: Bob O’Donnell, of Feasterville, who volunteers three days a week.
• Caring Office Volunteer of the Year: Judy Stefencavage, a Bensalem resident.
• Caring School of the Year Award: Council Rock North High School.
Gina Gannon, a St. Jerome Elementary School graduate, 6ABC personality and longtime Caring for Friends volunteer, hosted the event.
Among those in attendance was state Rep. Joe Hogan. Vince Schiavone, Caring for Friends CEO, thanked Hogan, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and state Sen. Jim Dillon for their assistance.
Fitzpatrick’s office provided each honoree with an American flag that was flown over the Capitol.
Last year, Caring for Friends provided more than 3.8 million meals to 300,000 people in southeastern Pennsylvania.
To volunteer or make a monetary or food donation, visit caringforfriends.org.
