Nassau County Independence Party Executive Director Rick Bellando hosted this year’s Independence Party Reception at the majestic Oheka Castle this past January. What a great way to kick off the new year, with a political event full of those concerned about the future of the country and a host of Nassau County powerful political figures, including Nassau County Comptroller and Senatorial candidate, George Maragos, who besides meeting their constituents had a chance to witness first hand the dynamism and the longing for a more patriotic and less partisan way of politics that guests expressed by their presence at this very successful evening.
By Demetrios Rhompotis
The event also served as venue for the 2012 Independence Freedom Awards. This year’s honorees were Peter Hurd, Sunrise Outdoor, Stephanie Ovadia, attorney, Lou Maddaloni, Maddaloni Jewelers, Garrett Taylor, Ameriprise Financial, Peter Pastorelli, Value Drug Stores, and Kayel De Angelis, Bags On The Net.
However, the highlight of the evening was when Assemblyman Jim Conte (R,I,C,WF-Huntington Station) presented the New York State Organ Donor Medal of Honor to Rick Bellando, a kidney donor (also Sales Manager at the Oheka Castle). And this is where the story turns … Greek. Mamie Stathatos-Fulgieri, until recently President of the Hellenic Lawyers Association, was asked to introduce the honoree and made some extremely moving remarks on how he offered her family a very “special gift”.
“Approximately 10 years ago, my husband, Matthew, & I were looking for venues to get married and we, of course, came to Oheka Castle. That was when we first met Rick Bellando and through the planning of our nuptials, we forged a strong friendship with him. Shortly following the birth of my second son, we learned that Matthew’s polycystic kidney disease had significantly progressed to the point where he needed a transplant rather imminently. So began our crusade to find a donor.”
Those who have gone through this experience know just how agonizing the process is so what happened next wasn’t just a huge relief but a reaffirmation to the abundance of the human capacity for benevolence.
“When Rick heard the news, he called Matt and said – without hesitation – ‘stop looking, I’m doing this for you’. So, a little over four years ago, Rick Bellando saved my husband’s life and has allowed me to enjoy the man I married here a decade ago and has given my boys a happy, healthy active father. Rick had a great kidney he gave away, but he maintains a huge heart.” Mamie reminded the crowd that as they “are all here to lend your support to the Nassau County Independence Party, you can rest assured that if there is any task or challenge that the leader of this great Third Party is asked, he will… quite literally, give greatly of himself!”
“As a two-time kidney transplant recipient, I was honored to present Mr. Bellando with the New York State Organ Donor Medal of Honor for his inspiring and courageous act,” said Assemblyman Conte. “There is a large and growing need for organ and tissue donors, and I am hopeful that Mr. Bellando’s actions will encourage more New Yorkers to enroll as donors to help save lives and increase the quality of life for the thousands of people awaiting a transplant.”
One after the other, dignitaries offered their remarks on the courageous and compassionate act of the honoree and stressed the importance of encouraging this spirit of humanitarian generosity, as the need for organ transplants is as high as ever. According to Mr. Conte, there are currently more than 110,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the United States, 8,000 in the New York metropolitan area alone. “Every 14 minutes someone is added to the organ-transplant waiting list, and we are lucky to have people like Mr. Bellando who step up and help these individuals. I can only hope that more people will follow his example and become an organ donor today,” said Assemblyman Brian Curran (14th A.D. – Lynbrook).
“It was a privilege to honor Mr. Bellando for his selfless act to save the life of someone in need,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra (21st Assembly District). “His words and actions are backed up by his courageous story, and should serve as a reminder that every New Yorker can make the true sacrifice and save lives by becoming an organ donor.”
Rick Bellando was humbled by the award and the outpouring of good words towards him, but did not spend time in boasting about it. In an interview with NEO magazine after the event was over, he was looking towards the upcoming election and the role the Independence Party can play in this over polarized electoral field. “I think it’s a great opportunity for the Independence Party to display the kind of healthy and moderate leadership our country expects at this cross roads we find ourselves in. The need for such leadership is great and we are ready for the challenge.”
