Joseph Maggio is the Pine Island Chamber’s Citizen of the Year

The Pine Island Chamber of Commerce invites friends in the Warwick community to attend its annual social and installation of officers to be held on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 3:30 p.m. at the Polish Legion of American Veterans, 16 Legion Road in Pine Island.

The chamber will not be hosting its typical brunch this year due to COVID-19 concerns. Instead, there will be celebratory coffee with cookies and donuts. Guests will have to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from the past three days at the door.

This event will also include an award presentation to Joseph Maggio, the chamber’s Pine Island Citizen of the Year, and to Leslie Castillo and Luis Andrade, the recipients of the chamber’s Youth Achievement Awards.

Joseph Maggio

Joseph Maggio has dedicated himself to serving the Pine Island community for decades. He has been a member of the chamber for at least two decades and has been a director, serving as treasurer on the executive board for more years than most people can count. He’s been one of the chamber’s keystones.

Joseph retired from Vernon High School after teaching math for 30 years and worked with SUNY New Paltz as a migrant tutor for five years. He is a volunteer for Warwick’s Meals on Wheels, delivering food to the neediest. He served the farm working community, both migrant and settled, particularly the children, volunteering with and serving on the board of the Mustard Seed Goshen Mission for eight years, and serving as a director of Volunteer Services for the Warwick Area Farmworker Organization.

Maggio continues to work with the ALAMO as a tutor in the homework help program as he has for approximately the last eight years. He has served on the St. Stephen’s Church Parish Council for four years.

“Joseph has been a constant, calm, and poised presence as chamber treasurer,” chamber officials said in the press release announce his selection. “The community can always rely on him. He is the consummate volunteer.”

If you would like to acknowledge Maggio, or you would like further information about the chamber’s award recipients, please feel free to contact the chamber.

Youth Achievement Awards

The Pine Island Chamber of Commerce will also be honoring two Youth Achievement Award recipients. This award goes to students who have combined an outstanding academic portfolio with a high level of community service.

Leslie Castillo

Leslie Castillo is a student at Warwick Valley High School. She has been an unpaid volunteer for the Warwick Area Farmworkers Organization summer camp at the Pine Island Elementary school for the past two summers. Leslie has been a positive influence assisting classroom teachers and working closely with their nutrition and crafts projects. She has always had a wonderful demeanor with young children.

Luis Andrade

Luis Andrade has been a volunteer at the Alamo Farmworker Community Center for a year. He worked on hot meal food distribution during the winter of 2020 through 2021. He has been a frequent right-hand assistant to Kathy Brieger, the director of the Alamo.

Essentials

The Chamber is a non-profit, self-supporting, all-volunteer community organization. Tickets at no cost can be reserved by visiting the chamber’s website reservation form at pineislandny.com and clicking on Events/Events & News/Annual Social. This event is open to all, but reservations are required because seating is limited.