OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. — The NYIT Athletics community’s generosity is ensuring 11 needy families across Long Island have a happy Thanksgiving.
The men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s lacrosse, baseball, softball, volleyball, cross country and men’s basketball teams as well as director of intercollegiate athletics Dan Vélez and trainer Christine Barcavage each donated a basket filled with a complete Thanksgiving dinner.
Men’s basketball assistant coach Joe Mantesta’s family spearheaded the initiative.
Mantesta’s mother, Maureen, collected 34 dinner baskets in total to distribute to families in need.
This was the first year NYIT Athletics became involved, but this is the third year the Mantestas have collected the Thanksgiving dinners.
Maureen started the charity initiative in memory of her brother John Galvin.
“He and his wife always did things for charity and volunteer work. She runs it in his name,” Coach Mantesta said.
Caseworkers who deal with families in shelters and homes throughout Long Island ensure the dinner baskets get into the right hands.
Maureen has an existing relationship with those caseworkers because she works for Birthday Wishes of Long Island, a nonprofit organization that provides birthday parties for homeless children.
“We just want to thank NYIT for the generosity and the teams for doing the baskets,” Coach Mantesta said.
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