Former New York “Mets” manager Bobby Valentne, famous trial lawyer Mickey Sherman and MTV moderator Eric Niese were joined by several other personalities in teeing off at the National Albanian American Council’s Hands of Hope (HOH) Third Annual Golf Tournament on May 5, 2003 at the prestigious Rockrimmon Country Club to raise funds for innocent children that have been ravaged by the most recent military conflicts in the Balkans.
Over 100 participants were treated to a full day of golfing, cocktail and an awards dinner to honor a handful of politicians and community activists for their efforts to better the lives of Albanians here in the United States and abroad, whereas three teams of golfers with the best points received prizes.
Ranging in sponsorship from prestigious American car dealerships to outstanding Albanian restaurants, from vocational packages to exotic islands to golf items, this year’s event managed to raise over $100,000 that will be used to fund various children’s project in the Balkans, especially Kosova, Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro. Prizes up for grabs included expensive cars such as Maserati, CTS Cadillac, BMW and less lucrative opportunities such as bottles of Grey Goose Vodka, golfing gear, and gift certificates to restaurants and music stores throughout the tri-state area.
Honored with the Branch Rickey Award for humanitarian services during the 9/11 recovery, as well as awards from the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation and the National Diabetes Foundation, Valentine praised NAAC’s HOH campaign for its tireless efforts to improve the lives of numerous children that have been hurt by wars in the Balkans, describing the charity as a hand that is helping people around the world.
United States Congressman Eliot Engel, who had traveled from Washington, D.C. to attend the Awards Dinner, praised NAAC as on organization that is making a major difference in the lives of many children in the Balkans. Congressman Engel congratulated NAAC for the outstanding job it is doing in playing a pivotal leadership role by promoting democracy, developing future leaders and providing humanitarian aid to children in the Balkans. Sherman, whom during the last years has received national media attention for representing high profile clients, including Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel, said that he was happy to be lending support to a charitable effort that benefits the greatest of war victims – children.
Senator Guy Valella of the New York State Assembly and Albanian American community activist Dino Erbeli were honored with the “Hands of Hope” humanitarian awards, whereas Bekim Laiqi was given the “Community Assistant” award.
Senator Valella could not attend the function due to the current Assembly session. Steve Alfassi, who received HOH’s award on behalf of Valella, read a letter written by the senator.
Among other things, senator Valella’s letter stated that, “I have always wholeheartedly supported the ‘Hands of Hope’ Campaign. Organizations, such as yours, serve as an inspiration for so many. As a not-for-profit group dedicated to improving the plight of the Balkans children, your organization will be building stronger democracies, improving educational opportunities, and most importantly, promoting an environment which respects human rights.”
Further, the senator had noted that, “By working together, we can help the children of all Albanian immigrants from the Balkans with their transition into their new society in New York State.” Community activist Erbeli, who is a NAAC Trustee hailing from the Albanian populated Dibra region in Macedonia, expressed satisfaction over this year’s event and turnout.
“The fact that people from both the Albanian and American communities showed up in large numbers and are having a great time while raising money for a worthy cause is an indicator that this year’s golf tournament was a success,” Erbeli said, adding that he was looking forward to the campaign’s continued success.
Special guests included Dominick Scaglione who shared with the participants his touching story of growing up in an Italian orphanage and then migrating to the Promised Land in 1951 where he excelled in college and rose to become a Senior Marketing Officer for the Western Europe Division of Chase Manhattan Bank. Scaglione recalled his first visit to Albania in 1995 where he was appalled by the living condition in the country’s orphanages. NAAC Chairman Richard S. Lukaj who co-chaired this year’s event spoke of the organization’s persistent efforts to raise much needed funds for the children of the Balkans even in the face of shifting priorities after the terrorist attacks on America one and a half years ago.
“As we began work for the 2003 campaign, we were struck by how different the world seems today relative to when we began this initiative three years ago. We wondered if the tragic events of September 11, 2001 would derail interest in supporting the children in the Balkans who need our support more than ever,” Lukaj said. He added that many NGOs have moved much of their resources to Afghanistan and other newly distressed areas of the world, leaving the Balkans with far less resources than they had before.
“The harsh realities in the region and our resolve to make a difference have intensified our efforts and deepened our commitment to the mission of helping children in Southeastern Europe. ‘Nation building’ is a theme we are going to hear more about as the world tries to act more proactively to bring down dictators and promote democracy. We are looking to do our small part to make the lives of some children in the region more hopeful,” Lukaj said. This year’s Annual Golf Tournament was co-chaired by Lukaj and Fred DeCaro, Jr., founder of Patriot National Bank. Several members of the Albanian American Women’s Organization “Mortat Qiriazi” were at hand to help execute the event.
This year’s fundraiser was sponsored in part by the following companies: Alba Construction; Albanian Yellow Pages; Alta Communications; Anthony’s Pier 4; Anthony Totilo Architects and Associates; Bajraktari Management Corp, LLC.; Benjamin Maintenance; Classic Realty; DeCaro Associates; Greenwich Cadillac; Greenwich Surgical Group; Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin; Illyria Newspaper; Kaye Insurance Associates, Inc.; Lamsia Corporation; LogicalNET Corp; L&L Properties; Luxury Mortgage Corp; Mariner Investment Group; Meridian Capital Group; Mid Manhattan Painting; Miller Motorcars; Platinum Maintenance; Quality Stairs; Ron Cami; Sound Federal Savings Bank; The Lukaj Foundation; Wilton Motors; etc.