Maverick Foundation

Maverick Foundation Volunteers Support the Travis July 4th Parade

Maverick Foundation scholarship recipients helped organize the 104th Annual Independence Day Parade in Travis. Despite the rainy weather, the parade marched on thanks to the hard work and efforts of our young volunteers. In the picture below, from left to right, Peter Rotondo, Frank Pizzella, Santo Tiralosi, and Kristen Blanchard were instrumental in setting up the line of march and preparing the Reviewing Stand for the ceremony as well as breaking down the parade.

Thank you Peter, Frank, Santo, and Kristen!

Congressman Michael Grimm Visits 13th Annual Lt. Joe Gullickson Memorial Picnic

The Maverick Foundation was honored and proud to have Congressman Michael Grimm visit our 13th Annual Lt. Joe Gullickson Memorial Picnic. He spent a good amount of time talking with guests and scholarship recipients.

In the below picture, Congressman Grimm is with Peter Rotondo on the left and Frank Pizzella on the right.

Thank You, Friends and Supporters!

Hi Maverick Foundation Friends and Supporters,

I just wanted to THANK YOU for your support of The Maverick Foundation and helping make the 13th Annual Lt. Joe Gullickson Memorial Picnic a very memorable and successful event this past Saturday!

Whether it was attending the picnic, selling raffles “behind the scenes,” making a donation, volunteering for the event, donating a prize to our raffle table, or just helping get the word out, I appreciate it very much!

We had a great day for Joe!

Special appreciation to . . .

• The FDNY Honor Guard including Chief Kevin Woods, Chief Jim Boylan, FF Zeke Quin, FF Andrew Francis, FF Charlie Banardi, FF Sayed, FF Jay Mahoney, and for Captain Tom Gardner for arrangement, equipment and the logistics.
• Kevin & Eileen Christie for setting up and managing the raffle table.
• Ryan & Christina O’Shea for their huge early morning assist with set-up.
• John & Denise Marino for the donating the balloon arrangements.
• Ted Farinella for his huge support at the raffle table with the play tickets and Yankee tickets.
• JetBlue, especially Richard Smyth, for their two pairs of “Fly Anywhere” Tickets that are a huge draw at our raffle table.
• Jerry Scully for singing “God Bless America” each and every year.
• The FDNY Red Hook Raiders who come each and every year including Ed Kearon, Jack Oehm, Tony Catapano, Eddie Davis, Andy Singleton and Tom Giordano.
• Brooke Dubinski and Katie Wilkinson of Turner for requesting and managing corporate contributions.
• Those who traveled for some distance including Connecticut, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens to get to the Picnic.

We had a record number of people . . . 283 . . . And we are growing each year.

Some key achievements for the foundation are that we have issued $229,000 in scholarships, presented 211 Good Citizen Awards over 11 years, and our Scholarship Recipients have performed collectively over 5,000 hours of public service.

We are now annually averaging about 1,000 hours of public service per year with each recipient averaging 100 hours per year. We now have four volunteers with Meals on Wheels alone.

In 2002, we had one scholarship recipient. Last Saturday, I introduced 8 current recipients, 3 new recipients, and 4 past recipients who have graduated from our scholarship program.

Thanks again for your steadfast support and dedication that allows us to continue with our mission!

Have a happy and safe summer!

Sincerely,

Bob Gullickson
President

18 Good Citizen Awards Presented

The Maverick Foundation is proud to announce that it has presented 18 Good Citizen Awards to well deserving eighth grade students at their graduations based on the their teacher and principal nominations.

Students were selected for being exemplary role models who regularly demonstrate respect for others, willingness to help others, and having a worthy academic record especially regarding conduct and effort. Students were also selected for having overcome a significant obstacle in their lives such as an illness or a difficult family situation while maintaining a positive attitude and achieving their goals:

• Shannon Gullickson – Blessed Sacrament
• Julian Ortiz – Blessed Sacrament
• Isabel Gullickson – Notre Dame Academy
• Kathryn McKee – Notre Dame Academy
• William Hensch – Our Lady Help of Christians
• Adney Silva – Our Lady of Good Counsel
• Ricky Diaz – Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• Joseph Terzian – Our Lady Queen of Peace
• Fay McKeveny – Our Lady Star of the Sea
• Jessica Palumbo – Saint Adalbert
• Francesca DeSilvio – Saint Ann
• Christopher Scully – Saint Charles
• Alex Cammarano – Saint Christopher
• Dean Iannuzzelli – Saint Clare
• Gabriella Sasso – Saint John Villa Academy
• Lynsey Hunt – St. Joseph–St. Thomas
• Joshua Santaromana – Saint Rita
• Lauren Carini – Saint Patrick (Chatham, NJ)

The Maverick Foundation has presented 211 Good Citizen Awards since beginning the program 11 years ago.

Frank Pizzella Awarded “The Terry Sweeney Memorial Scholarship” for 2014

The Maverick Foundation is proud to announce that Frank Pizzella has been awarded “The Terry Sweeney Memorial Scholarship” for 2014.

Frank is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and is a graduate of Saint Rita’s school where he was involved with many volunteer activities including serving as an ambassador for the school to greet and welcome new students and their parents.

The Principal of Saint Rita’s School, Adele Kosinski, stated, “Frank Pizzella is a true gentleman. He is extremely polite and courteous and is an example to his peers. He is one of the first to volunteer and exhibits poise and maturity in his leadership.”

Frank was the recipient of “The Lt. Chuck Margiotta Award” for outstanding commitment and dedication to the Saint Rita’s Basketball Program. The director of the program, Anthony Giumenta, stated, “Frank played a big role in the basketball program this year helping out at our weekly clinic for younger players. Frank is an all-around good person that I am proud to have gotten to know over the course of my time here at St. Rita’s. He has set an excellent example for the younger players in the program while teaching them the fundamentals of the game. I hope that his respect, dedication, character, and drive are imitated by others, and for all of these reasons, I feel Frank Pizzella is a fantastic candidate for the Terry Sweeney Memorial Scholarship.”

Frank has been accepted to the Saint Peter’s High School Honors Program.

He currently aspires to be an FBI agent.

Congratulations, Frank!

Peter Rotondo Awarded “The Bill Hodge Memorial Scholarship” for 2014

The Maverick Foundation is proud to announce that Peter Rotondo has been awarded “The Bill Hodge Memorial Scholarship” for 2014.

Peter is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and is a graduate of Saint Rita’s school where he was involved with many volunteer activities including serving as an altar server and as a volunteer with Project Homefront packing supplies for our soldiers.

One of Peter’s teachers, Gloria Sperrazza stated, “Peter has been one of my top students. He is focused, responsible, and dependable. In the classroom, Peter is always eager to participate. He’s a hard-working student, who demonstrates excellent study habits and works to his fullest potential. Peter values diversity in his daily activities and has assisted in the planning and coordination of many community events. Overall, Peter Rotondo is an exceptional young man.”

Peter was also captain of his football team where he played linebacker and tight end. His coach, George Thomas, stated, “Peter is determined to excel at everything he does, whether it is giving back to the community through community service, attaining excellence in the classroom or demonstrating leadership skills in team sports. Peter leads by example and puts the team first. Peter is an excellent student but more importantly a young man who exhibits great character, leadership, and integrity. He is committed to helping those around him and would be a worthy recipient of the Bill Hodge Memorial Scholarship.”

Frank has been accepted to the Saint Peter’s High School Scholars Program.

He currently aspires to have a career in the Army.

Congratulations, Peter!