Watch the event video here!

Join us as we continue the legacy of Nancy Avis and honor seven extraordinary women.

Allison Romeo

Stephanie Mizrahi

Maddie French

Dr. Ginny Mantello

Sydney, Samantha & Morgan Avis

Proceeds from the event will benefit JCC programs and services. Thanks to a generous donation from the Avis Family, all new funds raised up to $5,000 will be matched!

L'Dor V'Dor Sponsor
Kim & Victor Avis

Digital Journal Underwriter

Event Sponsor
Tyler Romeo

Event Underwriter
Dr. Ron Avis

Wheel of Chance Sponsors
Boris Natenzon/Enexia Specialty
Airway Revolution

Game of Chance Prizes

“Spa Day”
The gift package includes:
Plush Velour Robe & Matching Slippers
Satin Pillow Cases
Handheld Rotary Massager
Dr. Teal’s Sooth & Sleep Bath Foam
($100 Value)

Donated by Sylvia Cohen

“Kids Fun Basket”

Free week of summer camp at the SI Children’s Museum

Donated by Sandy Mazzucco

Assorted games and books

“Beaded Beauty”

Handmade beaded necklace

Created and donated by Bryn Biren

“Picture Perfect”

Aeezo Wifi Digital Picture Frame

Share pictures anytime, anywhere

Donated by Dr. Victor & Kim Avis

“Ask Alexa”

Echo Dot donated by Dr. Victor & Kim Avis

“Fantasy Trip”

Your choice

Fabulous Las Vegas or Orlando Theme Park Getaway

Donated by Casale Jewelers

“Special Occasion”

The Stone House at Clove Lakes

Fine dining in a picturesque setting

$75 Gift Card

Donated by Linda & Alan Brill

“Waterside Dining”

Marina Cafe $75 Gift Card

Donated by Linda & Alan Brill

"Party Time"

Catering for 15 Guests

Donated by Bario’s Pizzeria & Catering

“Shopping Spree!”

$100 Visa Gift Card

Donated by Stephanie Mizrahi

“CCO – Chief Cookie Officer”

Delicious Cookie Basket

Baked and Donated by Maddie French

Trader Joe's Basket

Amethyst necklace and jewelry cleaner

donated by Gerald Peters jewelers

$25 Gift Card to Pastrami Shoppe

$25 Gift Card to Reggiano’s

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Our Honorees

Allison Romeo

First Generation Award

Allison Romeo was born in Queens and grew up in Brooklyn. Allison attended Brooklyn College, where she received her Master’s in Speech Pathology. Allison and her husband Robert have been married for 30 years. They moved to Staten Island in 1996. They have 2 children Tyler, 28 and Justin, 24 who both grew up the JCC. She has been working at the JCC at First Foot Forward as a Speech/Language Pathologist for the past 25 years. In addition to working at First Foot Forward she was involved in Maccabi Artsfest in both New Orleans and Baltimore with the teens from the JCC.She has volunteered at many JCC events including the Purim Carnival, Character Breakfast, and Sunrise walks to name a few.

In addition to working at the JCC she has been on the board of directors of her temple, Congregation Ohel Abraham for the past 19 years. When her children were in Hebrew School, she helped oversee the everyday planning. She was honored in 2004 by the Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) with the Community Service Award for her leadership, devoted service, and dedication to the Jewish community of Staten Island for her work at her temple. She is actively involved in Congregation Ohel Abraham, whether it is helping out during model seders, Shabbat dinners, Hanukkah parties or temple yard sales she is always there if help is needed. Those in her temple know if you need anything just call and she will be there.

Stephanie Mizrahi

First Generation Award

Stephanie is a retired teacher and clinician from the NYC Department of Education. Since her retirement, she has used her free time to pursue her interests in music, reading, and learning. She attends a broad range of classes at the JCC offered by the CLLD program and the Dr. Esther Grushkin Center for Arts and Culture.

Within the CLLD program, Stephanie is a member of its Advisory Council and serves as its assistant co-chair. She also serves as a member of the CLLD Arts and Entertainment Committee. In addition, she was a committee member of the Dr. Esther Grushkin Center for Arts and Culture. Both the CLLD and Center for Arts and Culture provide exciting and diverse classes in all aspects of learning and Stephanie is happy to contribute to such vibrant programs. Lastly, Stephanie is a member of the L’Dor V’Dor committee and is proud to be chosen as an honoree this year.

Stephanie is mom to her son Matthew and his wife Noel and her daughter Elana and her husband Ryan. Her sweetest role is being grandma to Sienna and Brooke.

Maddie French

Next Generation Award

At the age of eight, Maddison French wanted to make people happy by making the world a better place for everyone. And what makes people happier than a little bit of sweetness made with a lot of love! As a result, Maddison created “Maddie’s Sweet Treats Shop”! Maddie loves baking and decided to take her sweet concept to market by making delicious treats and donating 45% of profits to a new charity each month.

Maddie’s recipe for success launched with local pop-up and took online orders through her Facebook group “Maddie’s Sweet Treats Shop”. A sweet little logo, an ambitious little girl, and a love for making people happy have been great ingredients to a successful first year of philanthropy. Maddie has appeared on Spectrum NY1, Staten Island Parent, and had her posts shared hundreds of times.

Since founding Sweet Treats in July 2021, Maddie has made donations to Tunnel to Towers, TC Alliance, Louie’s Legacy, and Sunrise Day Camp. To date, Maddie has donated just over $2000 to these charities. Maddie's best seller is her gooey ooey chocolate chips! Maddie creates a new menu for each charity, and everything is made from scratch, organic ingredients, and with love and care. As a JCC Alum, Maddie is excited and honored to receive the L'Dor V'Dor award.

Dr. Ginny Mantello

Bridge to the Community Award

Dr. Ginny Mantello is the Director of Health & Wellness, Office of Staten Island Borough President, and an Attending Neuroradiologic at Montefiore Medical Center and Main Line Health System, PA. Dr. Mantello launched multiple initiatives and coalitions including the Medical Ecosystem for the Staten Island Community Organizations Active in Disaster(SI COAD/MES), where she also serves as the medical director, the Staten Island Asthma Coalition, and the Staten Island Child Wellness Initiative. Dr. Mantello works very closely with public health-focused agencies like the Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness (SIPCW) and the Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS), working on emerging public health needs, Medicaid health reform, population health improvement, and health equity. Her focus has been as an advocate for primary prevention and early intervention, with an emphasis on chronic diseases such as asthma, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and behavioral health. She also focuses on vulnerable populations, including children with disabilities and seniors.

Her work has been particularly amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with regards to vaccine distribution and education. She led a COVID Incident Command System team and local Emergency Operations Center. She is currently involved and focused on vaccine education and roll out on Staten Island, focusing on vulnerable and disproportionately affected populations. She has conducted dozens of education webinars over the past 10 months to help the community understand the importance of getting vaccinated as well as to help overcome any barriers and concerns both at an individual and organizational level.

Dr. Mantello has received numerous awards for community service from the Wagner College DaVinci Society, Richmond County Medical Society, the Staten Island Borough Based Council, CHASI, Eden II, the YMCA, and Project Hospitality. Dr. Mantello was also one of a few recently named on the City and State Staten Island Health Hero list for her work during the pandemic.

Sydney, Samantha & Morgan Avis

Nancy Avis Legacy Award

Sydney, Samantha, and Morgan Avis are the daughters of Kim and Victor Avis and the granddaughters of Nancy and Ronald Avis. All three have a long history of involvement with the JCC and an interest in social justice issues.

Sydney began her JCC days in the nursery school and on the basketball courts of the South Shore Avis building. She graduated from Staten Island Academy, where she was the recipient of the Nancy Avis award, given to the top female athlete in her graduating class. Following time traveling and working abroad, Sydney received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder. She began her career as the Events Coordinator for the JCC’s Sunrise Day Camp. During this time, Sydney began studying Ayurveda with the goal of becoming a board-certified health and wellness coach. After becoming a certified yoga instructor, she began teaching yoga in Manhattan and Staten Island. Sydney’s passion for wellness was amplified when she was diagnosed with an airway disorder, which led to her having Maxillomandibular Advancement surgery. Throughout the process, Sydney and a team of filmmakers documented the entire experience in hopes that her story would provide insight, realization, and perhaps even hope to others going through a similar experience. Sydney and her father Victor started a not-for-profit organization called The Airway Revolution Foundation (TARF). TARF is partnering with a university to create an airway disorder center to help the millions struggling with upper airway disorders. Sydney currently holds the position of Executive Director of TARF.

Like her older sister, Samantha Avis also attended nursery school at the JCC and played basketball there, coached by her dad through elementary and middle school. She graduated from Staten Island Academy in 2013 and the University of Colorado-Boulder in 2018. Following college, she moved to Brooklyn and began working at The Desai Foundation, a women’s health nonprofit, before beginning a career in education. She currently serves as an Associate Teacher at Berkeley Carroll in Park Slope and is now following in her father’s footsteps as a basketball coach in the middle school. In her free time, Sam enjoys cooking, exploring Brooklyn neighborhoods with her dog, hiking, and being with friends and family. As a young advocate, Sam plans to become more involved in her local community as well as issues nationally and abroad.

Morgan, the youngest of the three sisters, also graduated from Staten Island Academy and the University of Colorado-Boulder. During her college years, she volunteered with Factory Farming Awareness Coalition, the Environmental Center, and her local public library’s Reading Buddies program. In her senior year, Morgan interned with a prison reentry program, supporting individuals who had been recently incarcerated reacclimate to the world outside a cell. After returning home, she worked for the JCC as a Resource Navigator, assisting New York residents who had been infected with COVID-19 in getting necessary governmental assistance. Currently, Morgan is getting her Master’s at Columbia University where she is studying to be a Social Worker. Morgan is interning at the Brooklyn Justice Initiative and continues to be active in social justice causes.

About Nancy Avis

Right after Nancy graduated from Russell Sage College with a degree in Physical Education, she moved to Staten Island with her husband Ron. She immediately became involved with the Jewish Community Center’s Camp Committee because of her love and concern for children. She soon took a lead role in the formation of the JCC Nursery School in 1961, which opened with just one teacher and seven children. She was incredibly pleased to watch its growth in numbers, breadth of cur­riculum, and ages served.

Nancy was a consummate fundraiser for Girl Scouts, United Cerebral Palsy, and the Community Chest. Her passion for golf kept her busy, and she served as chair­person of many golf fundraising tournaments, including the JCC’s annual event. She still found time to win a record-breaking 16 Ladies Club Championship titles at the Richmond County Country Club, where she also served as chairlady of golf.

She was a board member of Geller House, Staten Island Academy, and the Women’s Campaign of UJA-Federation. For her commitment and generosity to the community, she was honored by UJA in 1976 and 1997. In 1986, she was pre­sented with the prestigious Staten Island Advance Woman of Achievement Award for exemplifying the spirit of volunteerism. In recent years, she and Ron helped establish Wagner College’s Chai Society, which promotes a Jewish presence on campus.

At the JCC, Nancy was Women’s Division President in 1962. In 1986, she made JCC history when she was elected the center’s first woman president. During her tenure, the South Shore JCC was ex­panded to include a $1 million gym and fitness center. As a surprise to her at the Grand Opening Ceremony, Ron had arranged to have it named the Nancy and Ronald Avis Building. In 1998, Nancy and Ron were honored by the JCC with the Allan Weissglass Distinguished Leader­ship Award.

John F. Kennedy once said, “Things do not happen; they are made to happen.” Nancy made many wonderful and lasting things happen for the JCC and for our community. We are grateful for all the gifts she shared with us; they will serve as an inspiration for years to come.