The Bay Ridge Community Council is holding its 61st annual dinner dance next at Mill Basin’s El Caribe Country Club next Thursday, June 7.
The event, which begins at 7:00 p.m., will include a ceremony honoring two Civic Award recipients. This years’ honorees include Community Board 10 member Reverend Khader El-Yateem, as well as William R. Guarinello – who serves as the Chair of CB 11 in Bensonhurst.
According to the New York State Senate’s official resolution, in addition to his post on CB 10, Rev. El Yateem – who is a Lutheran minister – also serves on the boards of the St. Nicholas Home, and the Arab American Association of New York. He was one of the founders of the Unity Task Force, “which was created for the main purpose of keeping our community peaceful.”
El Yateem was recently featured in a PBS documentary titled Caught in the Crossfire: Arab Americans During Wartime.
William R. Guarinello, who is probably better known as Bill, was likewise lauded in a Senate resolution. His activities include, but are certainly not limited to, presiding as Chief Executive of Heartshare Human Services - an agency that is, according to its website, “committed to serving the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.” During his time at Heartshare, Guarinello significantly expanded its programs – including those for both school-age children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, HIV and AIDS.
Guarinello also serves as President of the Fort Hamilton Citizen Action Committee, an organization that lobbies to prevent the closure of Fort Hamilton Army Base – which would have a negative impact on the economy – and possibly security – of Southwest Brooklyn. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, he chaired a group called Brooklyn Remembers, which planned, built, and still maintains a memorial to Brooklyn’s 9/11 victims.
For more information, please contact Irene Hanvey, Dinner Dance Chairperson, at (917) 757-5334 or ijhanvey@gmail.com.