Caring for Friends celebrated its 50th anniversary with a party at Park Casino.
Formerly known as Aid for Friends, the agency has been providing food and friendship since 1974.
The charity was formed by Rita Ungaro-Schiavone, a St. Jerome parishioner who died in 2017. Ungaro-Schiavone believed, “No one should be alone or hungry in a world of caring people.” Her organization was inducted into the inaugural class of the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame.
Vince Schiavone, son of the founder, is now CEO. Caring for Friends headquarters is at 12271 Townsend Road.
Last year, Caring for Friends staff and volunteers produced more than 6 mission pounds of food, providing some 3 million meals to 350 cupboards and organizations. The food is a mix of frozen, fresh and shelf sustainable.
State Sen. Jimmy Dillon, state Rep. Joe Hohenstein and City Councilman Jim Harrity presented Caring for Friends with citations. Others in attendance included state Reps. Greg Scott and Regina Young.
“This organization has been a lifeline for so many,” Dillon said. “Here’s to the next 50 years of Caring for Friends.”
Caring for Friends presented longtime volunteer awards to Jack and Marge Hohenstein and family, Tony and Arlene Urbanski and the Schiavone family (accepted by Caring for Friends managing director Steve Schiavone).
Parx donated $20,000 to Caring for Friends.
The evening included a slideshow of pictures, a buffet dinner, dessert, live music and a performance by sports comedian Joe Conklin.
Conklin delighted the crowd with impersonations of Harry Kalas, Bernie Sanders, Mitch McConnell, Tom McCarthy, Larry Andersen, Jalen Hurts, Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Bill Clinton, Phil Murphy, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joel Embiid, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal, Ilya Bryzgalov, Bernie Parent, Burgess Meredith and Jack Nicholson.
Conklin, a Cardinal Dougherty graduate, joked that Mayor Cherelle Parker is Philadelphia’s first woman mayor since Jim Kenney and that Flyers teenage Russian star Matvei Michkov is actually from Bustleton and Rennard.
Conklin told the crowd the Phillies are planning a Trea Turner Ball Day next season.
“You get the ball and you immediately throw it over your friend’s head.”
Jalen Hurts was also a target.
“He tried to throw his coach under the bus and even that was intercepted.”
The crowd learned the Eagles’ “tush push” is not new.
“I’ve been using that move for years,” said “Bill Clinton.”
“Obama” is not impressed with the Eagles defense.
“That secondary has worse coverage than Obamacare.”
“Trump” recalled his days as a baseball player.
“I hit so many home runs they had to build the wall higher.”
“Embiid” insisted he will be in shape this season.
“I have a brand new trainer. She lives next to Chick-fil-A.” ••
Caring for Friends will hold a 50th anniversary gala on Nov. 13 at Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova.
