'Friends And Family' Benefits L.I. Ronald McDonald House

DJ Stefano and Johnny Rocks of WKTU 103.5 are shown with Theresa Brucculeri.

The 24th "Friends and Family", an annual holiday gala and festive day of activities to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, was held on December 9 at Astoria World Manor. The event, coordinated by Theresa Brucculeri, vice president of the Board of Directors at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, and her husband Jack, featured wonderful entertainment and delectable foods, as well as silent and live auctions in the spirit of the holiday season. Traditionally, the holiday event attracts hundreds of adults and children- this year, more than 500 people attended and helped to raise $70,000 for the house.

Although "Friends and Family" began in 1983 with a small group of people, its popularity has grown over the years, turning it into a celebration for the young and the young-atheart. According to Brucculeri, coordinating an event of this magnitude is a labor of love and she is grateful for a dedicated committee of volunteers who help organize many of the details that ensure the event's success.

Two exceptional volunteers were recognized for their contributions: Lily Volpe and Katina Papaoiannou, both of Astoria, were honored as this year's "Outstanding Volunteers" and honored for their tireless work.

Sara Levine and a crew of artistic friends painted the faces of children at the event. Levine is shown with Liliana Fredrickson and Theresa Sciorell of Queens.

Sponsored by Sovereign Bank and WKTU 103.5, activities for children at this year's event included a magic show by Ronald McDonald and an exciting visit from Santa Claus and famous cartoon characters Dora and Diego. Caricature artists and face painting artistry were provided for all children. In addition, DJ Stefano and Johnny Rocks from WKTU 103.5 played a variety of tunes that brought everyone to the dance floor. The Dancing Diamonds, a talented troupe of twirlers ages five to 16, shined on the dance floor when they performed their baton twirling skills.

"This event makes me very happy because the funds go directly to the house," Brucculeri said. "It's an event that began years ago with adults who were children when they first attended and now they are bringing their own children. It's incredible and the response has been overwhelming."

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is a home-awayfrom home for families of children who are undergoing medical treatment in area hospitals. Since 1986, the house has served more than 21,000 residents caring for more than 10,000 seriously ill children. Many of the families that stay at the house come from Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk Counties; as well as the surrounding metropolitan New York area, the nation and more than 80 countries around the world.