Community Matters Committee

Grassi & Co. has been involved in community outreach projects since the firm opened their doors some 30 years ago.  Our team members are involved with a wide variety of service-oriented non-profits, and the firm regularly sponsors and participates in local community service events.  In an effort to strengthen and expand these efforts, we have assembled a team of Grassi & Co. staff from across the firm to increase our service involvement throughout the community as community involvement is a huge part of Grassi & Co.’s social responsibility.

A team of 15 and growing, Grassi & Co.’s Community Matters Committee sponsors, hosts, and participates in events for local and national groups including service, health, research, and educational organizations.  We are confident that this effort will increase the impact the firm has in giving back to the community.

PAST EVENTS

Canstruction Long Island 2011

On Wednesday, October 26^th, the Grassi & Co. team once again partnered up with Lovett Silverman designer Laura Guidice and Tom Yoo and met at the RXR Place in Uniondale to compete in Canstruction 2011. Like 2010′s event, Canstruction 2011 was organized by SMPS Long Island in which teams from local design and construction companies build structures out of canned food, which is subsequently donated to the Long Island Cares’ Harry Chapin Food Bank to combat hunger. This year, Grassi & Co. took home the “Honorable Mention” award for our “Little Engine that CAN” display.

For photos of the event, please click here or visit our Facebook Fan Page by clicking here.

Education & Assistance Corporation (EAC) Holiday Tree Decorating Party

On December 20th, 2010, the Community Matters Committee brought a team of Grassi & Co. staff to the Education & Assistance Corporation’s Child Advocacy Center in Central Islip.  The team brought gifts, tree ornaments, food, and desserts to a group of twenty children from underprivileged background and led them in crafting activities.  Following its mission of spreading Grassi’s involvement into local charitable and community-building activities, Community Matters is proud to have led the event and to have helped provide these children with the best Christmas possible.

The highlight of the evening, by all accounts, was when Grassi & Co. team member John Licata showed up dressed as Santa Claus, delivering presents to the group of delighted and excited children.

“During the holiday hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get lost in plans and preparations for your own friends and family,” said Geri Gregor, Partner-in-Charge, Construction Practice Leader, and Consulting Division Leader, who also serves on the board of EAC.  “It’s tremendously gratifying to take a step back and reach out to the community.  I am sure the heart-warming experience of watching the children enjoy the craft projects and get excited as they opened their gifts will remain in all of our memories for a long time.  This was an amazing event in the true holiday spirit.”

EAC’s Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center is a nationally accredited program designed to provide a neutral, child-friendly environment for victims of abuse.  They also hold public education forums and provide the emotional and referral support for children and families.  The Child Advocacy Center assists over 400 children a year.

Canstruction Long Island 2010

On Wednesday, October 27^th, a team of thirteen Grassi & Co. team members and Lovett Silverman designer Laura Guidice gathered in RXR Place in Uniondale to compete in Canstruction 2010, an event organized by SMPS Long Island in which teams from local design and construction companies build structures out of canned food, which is subsequently donated to the Long Island Cares’ Harry Chapin Food Bank to combat hunger.

Teams from a variety of companies organized to build lighthouses, bottles of champagne, bulldozers, the Lincoln Memorial (complete with a miniature Abe Lincoln inside), and even Superman.  True to its accounting roots, and following the theme of “Subtract Hunger, Add Hope,” the Grassi & Co. team used over 2,500 cans of potatoes, tomato paste, grits, and sardines to create an impressive adding machine with a display input of “– HUNGER” (“Subtract Hunger”).

“Hunger is such a serious issue, even here on Long Island and most people are unaware of that,” commented Reena Panchal, CFE, Consulting Manager at Grassi & Co.  “This is a great event that allows us to help with the hunger problem, while also raising awareness of the issue.  It also dovetails nicely with the firm’s design and construction niche practices.”

“We’re excited to be working with people from Grassi & Co. on this important project,” said John Lovett, President of Lovett Silverman.  “This is such a personal issue and to be able to address it in this fun, creative way is a great thing.”

Garden City Bird Sanctuary

The Community Matters Committee’s inaugural event was a trip to the Garden City Bird Sanctuary, a local 9-acre community nature preserve.  Grassi & Co. team members Nicole Ponce, Nancy Vigorito, Laura Schultz, Diane Smith, John Licata, and Regina Carvalho visited the Bird Sanctuary to help plant trees, clear brush, and assist in beautification projects.  The Bird Sanctuary is built on what was once a neglected storm water basin (or “sump”), and it is now a thriving and flourishing local nature preserve.  The Community Matters Committee is immensely proud to help bring the peace, quiet, and beauty of nature to local communities.