WCF Hosts Speaker

May 5, 2025

Women’s Club of Farmingdale Hosts Speaker
Joe Cognitore, Vice Chairman, National Legislative Commission

On May 1, 2025, the Women’s Club of Farmingdale (WCF) held its May meeting at the community room of Elsworth Allen Park. May Luncheon Chair, Fran Rotondo, and her committee: Marie Asencio, Lynn Connolly, Ingrid Hernandez, Anna Ievolo, Ann Lomonte, Barbara Magnan, and Eva Pearson presented a large assortment of desserts for members and guests to enjoy amid beautifully decorated tables.

Barbara Hoerner coordinated with 1st VP Margaret Barrett to schedule a very interesting program on the status of veterans on Long Island. Speaker Joe Cognitore, Vice Chairman National Legislative Commission – VFW is a dedicated veteran and community leader who has served his country both abroad and at home for decades. After returning from Vietnam, Mr. Cognitore joined the VFW in 1973, and he has remained actively involved ever since. As Commander of VFW Post 6249, he has dedicated countless hours to advocating for veterans and supporting his community in Rocky Point, where he has lived since 1983. Notably, during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, Joe coordinated care packages for deployed troops. He has also worked tirelessly to help build homes for veterans and their families. Mr. Cognitore is a valued figure in his community, continually committed to helping others and upholding the spirit of service. The WCF was very proud to be able to donate dozens of handmade “lapghans” to be used by disabled and rehabbing veterans.

Members also donated gift bags filled with scarves, jewelry, nail polish, scrunchies, makeup, etc. for the “Mothers in Crisis” Program at Madonna Heights Homeless Shelter. Madonna Heights operates as a nonprofit organization reaching out to troubled adolescent girls, young and adult women and their children and families in crisis. WCF members will be delivering these gifts in time for Mother’s Day.

“Shut the Door on Hunger,” (STDOH) the newest Community Impact Program spearheaded by member Tina Diamond, had a hugely successful year thanks, not only to its members, but also to the local community. STDOH is committed to reducing food insecurity for students when schools are closed for holiday and school breaks. To thank the community for their much-needed support, certificates were presented to:

Village of Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand for inclusion of articles publicizing this event in his “From the Mayor’s Desk”
Cheryl Parisi for posting the event flyer in the Village’s social media newsletter, “Constant Contact,” which reaches approximately 2,000 residents
Christa Lucarelli, Director Farmingdale Public Library, for the generous contribution of storage space, staff help and CASE helpers for the distribution of food
Joe Fortuna, owner of Farmingdale restaurants The Nutty Irishman, 317 Main and Vico’s, for his contribution of cooked meals and meat market gift cards.
Lynne Rice from Flagstar Bank for the donation of dozens of tote bags used for food collection distribution
In addition, the Farmingdale Hawks Football League and the Junior League of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale also made donations which contributed to the success of the program.

Mayor Ralph Ekstrand made his own special presentation by bestowing the WCF with a beautiful Proclamation acknowledging the club’s outstanding efforts for this very worthwhile program.

The club was proud to learn that one of its members, Lorraine Stanton, will be receiving a 2025 Woman of Distinction Award in May.

The GFWC NYS Convention was held in Albany April 24-27 with several members attending from the WCF and the Jr. League of the WCF. The following awards were presented to the WCF:

2nd Place NYS President Special Project – Breast Cancer Awareness, October 2024 Breast Cancer Walk;
2nd Place Domestic & Sex Abuse Preparedness, Donations to Madonna Heights Homeless Shelter; 2nd Place Education & Library, Donation Triple P Program Farmingdale Library;
2nd Place Arts & Culture, 13th Annual Art in the Park;
3rd Place Reading, Formation of new WCF Book Club;
3rd Place Fundraising, Music Bingo;
2nd Place Health & Wellness, Shut the Door on Hunger;
3rd Place, Newsletter, WCF News & Notes;
2nd Place WCF President’s Scrapbook;
1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Photography, Photos of clubwomen “in action” for Shut the Door on Hunger and Madonna Hts. programs.

The following awards went to WCF clubwomen: 1st Pl Maria Ortolani for Photography and 1st Place for Charcoal Drawing; 2nd Place Cheryl Parisi Quilted Runner.

The Women’s Club of Farmingdale, a local 501-C-3 non-profit organization, is always interested in welcoming new members. For more information, please email: lyndaleone@gmail.com or jude523@aol.com. #IAMGFWC

submitted by Maria Ortolani, Publicity Chair