A Letter from the President

Dear Friends:

I am so pleased to be able to share tonight's event with all of you, your attendance and support is a fitting tribute to our Man of the Year, Sonny DiCrecchio, and our chapter of UNICO. Thanks to your support, UNICO will be providing 100 food baskets at Thanksgiving to be distributed to people in need by members and Churches. This Christmas 100 to 125 underprivileged children will be buying presents for their families, or, in the case of children who have no families, they will purchase everyday necessities for themselves that we take for granted. After the shopping we will have a party for the children with food and entertainment. Each chaperone helps with the wrapping of all the presents, and in return they receive the gift of sharing the joy of the gift giving anticipation. UNICO also offers a helping hand to people whose lives have been devastated due to medical issues or the death of a bread winner, circumstances that have often bankrupted families leaving them with no resource for food or other necessities. The good that UNICO does with your valuable support goes on, so be assured that we touch lives in all your names and make a real difference.

In keeping with the UNICO tradition of serving the community, Sonny DiCrecchio makes a real difference in our city and our region. As Executive Director of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Terminal, he is responsible for commerce in excess of 1.3 billion dollars in sales. He ensured the future for the thousands of employees and the economic vitality of the region with a new world-class produce terminal under construction at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. As great as his professional accomplishments are though, his charitable endeavors are far greater. Sonny founded the Produce Rescue Program which, under his leadership, is responsible for donations of over three million pounds of food to the homeless each year. Sonny and his wife Michelle support with Samaritan Hospice of New Jersey, and he has adopted the Sharswood School, located at 3rd and Wolf Streets, and established a Produce Program at this K through 8 school. He donates fruit to the school and gets the students involved in learning about nutrition and the business of produce. Once a month, the school hosts a fruit sale where students raise funds for their school to buy computers and other needed supplies. These are just a few of the countless ways that Sonny serves his community. His selfless giving of time and energy has had a profound impact on people's lives, and he is making a better world for all of us. Please take a moment tonight and personally thank our most deserving Man of the Year, Sonny DiCrecchio.

Thank you again for your support, and enjoy your evening!

Francis John Ciabattoni
President