|
Published: March 21, 2008 07:22 pm
HONORED: Petrozzi cited for Coats for Kids work
Capital Cleaners owner celebrates 80th birthday in style
By Rick Forgione/forgioner@gnnewspaper.com
Niagara Gazette
Joseph Petrozzi didn’t want anything special done for his 80th birthday — but he knew something was up when his entire family started arriving at Capital Cleaners on Friday.
“I was very surprised to see them, especially on a work day,” he laughed. “Somehow they must have planned this.”
The arrival of his loved ones wasn’t the only surprise. Mayor Paul Dyster and Council Chairman Sam Fruscione also made a visit to congratulate Petrozzi and present a proclamation in recognition of his years of service to the community through the Coats for Kids program.
“He’s one of those individuals that has given of themselves over the years for the benefit of the greater Niagara Falls community,” Dyster said of Petrozzi. “We could use 100 more people like him.”
Petrozzi, owner of Capitol Cleaners on Main Street, has gathered garments for the annual Coats for Kids campaign for more than half his life. Thousands of Items such as jackets, hats and scarves are collected, cleaned and distributed to the needy each winter.
The idea for the program started in the 1960s when Petrozzi was at his store one day and saw students at nearby Abate Elementary School entering the building. He solicited used coats from friends to give to those children, then opened the campaign up to his customers — and it continued to grow from there, now servicing around 15,000 children throughout the region.
The proclamation presented by Dyster credited him with “service to the city as a concerned business owner, as a community volunteer and as an individual who has served his fellow man.”
“I’m very appreciative of this honor,” Petrozzi said, but added the real credit goes to the thousands of donators. “When you see children happy, that’s the big thing. It might only be a coat, but to some kids, they think you’ve given them the world.”
Family members cheered and snapped photos as Dyster read aloud the proclamation. Afterward, 13-year-old Alexa Britton rushed into the room and gave her grandfather a big hug.
“I think it’s wonderful what he does to help so many people,” Britton said.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Dietitian
Dietitian with duties to incl. cooking & ability to give direction in a health facility's dietary dept. Benefits incl. 4...>MORE
Private Investigator
Private Investigator
Proven ability and equipment to conduct surveillance, background inquires and searches. 1-5 ye...>MORE
MST Therapists
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:
MST ...>MORE
Dental Reception
Maintenance
Supervisor
FT Maintenance Niagara Falls YMCA. HVAC, electr., plbg, carpentry, cleaning, pool. $13....>MORE
SHIPPING CLERK
Shipping Clerk, p/t, 30-35 hrs. wk., exp. in warehouse environment, knowledge of Word/Excel, data entry, UPS, freight ch...>MORE
Recreational Aide
Recreational Aide - Full/part time. Performs hand on activities to include crafts, cooking, recreational and social acti...>MORE
Hospitality/Tourism Instructor
Hospitality/Tourism. NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking applications for part-time instructor to teach hospita...>MORE
Maintenance Supervisor
Maintenance Supervisor
FT Maintenance Niagara Falls YMCA. HVAC, electr., plbg, carpentry, cleaning, pool. $13.25/hr...>MORE
BILINGUAL PHONE INTERVIEWER
Bilingual Telephone interviewer. Surveys for insurance policy review. Spanish/English a Must. ft/pt & Sat. No sales/coll...>MORE
FOREMAN & LABORERS
Basement Waterproofing co. needs a foreman & laborers for expanding business, exp. w/interior drain tile a plus, 471-723...>MORE
See all ads |
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
Yamaha 1982, 750
YAMAHA 1982, 750, runs perfect,
low mileage, $895.
716-525-2889...>MORE
Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE
1984 Cadillac Eldorado
CADILLAC Eldorado 1984, runs, inspected, $500. 283-3552....>MORE
Dodge 1993 Dakota 4x4
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
1996 Saturn Sport Coup
SATURN 1996 Sport coup, 4 cyl, auto, exc cond in & out, loaded, CD, no rust, 97k orig. mi, $2195. 523-7102....>MORE
Ford 1998 F150
FORD 1998 F150, standard cab, 4wd, excellent shape, $3495.
716-525-2889...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
Chevy 1995 Pickup
CHEVY 1995 Pickup truck, 4WD, 5 speed, must see, never had plow on it, $2800 bo, 804-5579...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
