Community Corner
600 Attend Dinner to Help East Haven Teen Hurt By Falling Tree
Dinner was held in Hamden on Friday night; more than 600 attended and thousands of dollars were raised to help pay Nick's medical bills.
EAST HAVEN, CT - Six hundred people attended - and thousands of dollars were raised - at a dinner Friday night for the 16-year-old who was severely injured mowing his lawn this summer.
The dinner was held to benefit Nick Vessicchio and his family. Nick's brothers - Anthony and Michael were in attendance (and are in the picture with Joseph Carfora - who is in the middle of the photo).
The dinner organized was organized by Joann Gondek, Caroline Vitale-Koziatek and Joseph Carfora and was held at Cascade Fine Catering in Hamden from 6-11 p.m., where all the proceeds from the evening will be given to the Vessichio family.
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Carfora on Saturday morning said Gondek and Koziatek “did all the heavy lifting on organizing the event. They did a tremendous job of making this night such a great success,” Carfora said of Gondek and Koziatek’s efforts. “I can’t say enough about the work the two of them did to ensure this was a great night for Nick’s family.”
"Overall the night was a huge success," said Carfora."It was touching hearing some of the stories of relations with people and the Vessicchio family. It was great seeing the community come together for a very good cause in helping the Vessicchio family."
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"In the hardest of times the town of East Haven came together for a great cause," said Carfora, who added that other surrounding towns also reached out to help make the night a success.
Carfora added that Cascades provided "great food and great service."
Meanwhile, efforts to help the family are continuing back in East Haven.
Toward that end, East Haven contractor Anthony Bianco, who runs A&G Contracting in town, has volunteered to head up the efforts to make the house ready for Nick.
Koziatek has been fielding calls from those who have volunteered to join A&G in the effort to make the house as comfortable for Nick as possible.
According to Koziatek much progress has been made at the house: demolition work has been done, framing is almost done, heating and plumbing is in progress.
She added, however, much still needs to be done, including finishing heating and plumbing, flooring, finishing work, painting, outside access and other work.
Koziatek said: "The family is overwhelmed and lifted up by the outpouring of financial and physical help to get Nick home."
Bianco is receiving no money for his time and efforts. "We still need electricians, plumbers, laborers, contractors," said Koziatek. She said anyone that wants to help Bianco with the work should contact her, not him, at (203) 467-8824.
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