Five unsung community leaders will be honored at an upcoming 45th Precinct Community Council tradition.
On Thursday, February 4, the council announced five local leaders who will be honored at their fifth annual community breakfast.
This year’s honorees include Church of God’s Children Archbishop Angel Rosario, Bronx Clergy Task Force CEO; Lynn Gerbino Throggs Neck Homeowners Association president; Hannah Acompora, Westchester Square Civic Association secretary; Fr. Robert Grippo, former St. Theresa Church pastor now serving on the Archdiocese of New York’s Making All Things New advisory council; Brenda Prohaska, City Island Community Center president and Al Carena, Spencer Estate Civic Association president.
“Every year the council goes to great lengths to find people who really exemplify the community and work closely with local law enforcement,” said John Doyle, council board member.
Bob Beider, 45th Precinct Community Council president, further elaborated that each honoree represents their community which they have selflessly aided throughout the years.
In addition, these leaders have worked hand in hand with the 45th Precinct to help keep their neighborhoods safe.
“These folks are the best of the best that their respective communities have to offer and they do so much without receiving anything in return,” said Beider.
Beider noted the cultural diversity of the 45th Precinct’s service area and how this annual breakfast serves to connect everyone.
“This breakfast is a great opportunity for everyone from different neighborhoods within our precinct to come together, break bread and honor the many men and women who give so much of themselves to help,” he shared.
A Throggs Neck resident for nearly 41 years, Gerbino said her extensive resume includes serving as the Bronx Times editor-in-chief from the late 1980s to early 1990s, a coach for Throggs Neck Girls Softball League, a Fort Schuyler House committee board member, a girl scout leader for St. Frances de Chantal, acting chief of staff for the late Councilwoman Madeline Provenzano and chief of staff for former Assemblyman Stephen Kaufman.
Gerbino added she served as an organizer for Throggs Neck’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the last 18 years and was part of a committee that were instrumental in getting a September 11, 2001 memorial constructed near Engine 72.
Born and raised in City Island, Prohaska said her work includes PTA fundraising for P.S. 175, fundraising for CICC, working as a Part of the Solution family club coordinator, participating in beach clean up days around the island and Orchard Beach in addition to participating in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Bronx Walk with her group, ‘Team Rose’.
For 33 years, Carena protected the Bronx as an officer in the 41st and 42nd precincts and as an officer in the Police Benevolent Association.
In addition to his role as SECA president, he is president of Morris Park Kiwanis Club which provides food to local families in need and is an adjunct criminal justice professor at John Jay College.
The 45th Precinct Community Council’s breakfast is slated for Wednesday, May 11 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Villa Barone Manor.
The event will feature a $15 donation fee to pay for the breakfast’s expenses.
For tickets and more information, contact Beider at (718) 828-4400.
