LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lorraine M. Tozzo upon the occasion of
her designation by HeartShare Human Services of New York as the recipi-
ent of its 2011 HeartShare Genie Foundation Award

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors,
and community service are an example and inspiration to their
colleagues, friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Lorraine M. Tozzo upon the occasion of her designation by HeartShare
Human Services of New York as the recipient of its 2011 the HeartShare
Genie Foundation Award; and
WHEREAS, Lorraine M. Tozzo, President of the Genie Foundation, will be
honored at the organization's Spring Gala and Auction, to be held on
Thursday, March 24, 2011, at the New York Marriott Marquis; and
WHEREAS, HeartShare Human Services of New York is a nonprofit human
services agency dedicated to improving the lives of people in need of
special services and support, and to helping individuals develop to
their fullest potential and lead meaningful and enriched lives; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1914, HeartShare Human Services of New York
promotes self-sufficiency and responsibility through its programs and
services to more than 25,000 children, adults, families, and the devel-
opmentally disabled throughout New York City annually; each year, at its
Spring Gala and Auction, it proudly recognizes the achievements of those
who exemplify its ideals and help to further its mission; and
WHEREAS, The younger daughter of the late Helen and Palmo Tozzo,
Lorraine Tozzo was born and educated in Brooklyn; she began her career
as the Assistant to the President of Arnold Constable Department store,
one of the oldest retailers on New York City's Fifth Avenue; that same
year, Lorraine's sister, Elaine Gregoli, gave birth to Lynn Marie, who
was diagnosed with Down Syndrome; with the arrival of Lynn Marie, the
entire Tozzo-Gregoli family began focusing their attention on helping
children with developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Elaine became one of the three founders of the New York Leag-
ue for Early Learning (NYL) and its William O'Connor School in Bay
Bridge Brooklyn and Lorraine became the League's chief volunteer
fundraiser; by 1991, the NYL had grown to include three additional
schools, the Teacher's College Pre-Kindergarten Program at Columbia
University, the Harry H. Gordon School in the Bronx, and, with a grant
from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Infant Health and Develop-
ment Program, also in the Bronx; at that point, Elaine convinced
Lorraine to accept a full-time position as the League's Development
Director and Human Resources Director for all its programs; and
WHEREAS, About eight years later, Lorraine Tozzo became the Executive
Assistant to Alan B. Slifka, Co-Chairman of Halcyon Asset Management and
the founding Chairman of the Big Apple Circus, Director of the Abraham
Joshua Heschel School, founding Chairman of the Abraham Fund Initi-
atives, and member of the boards of numerous other corporate, charitable
and educational organizations to assist him with his philanthropic
efforts; she served in that position for 20 years and continues as Exec-
utive Assistant to the current Chairman in addition to serving as Presi-
dent of the Genie Foundation and consulting with numerous other not-for-
profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, While working at the New York League, Lorraine Tozzo met Nino
Russo and they became fast friends; Nino was so taken with the children
that he quickly signed on as a volunteer; in 1995 Lorraine and Nino

founded the Genie Foundation to support agencies that focus on the needs
of children by providing quality services and, together with the other
members of the board of the Genie Foundation, the late Denise Vitale,
Tracey Shankman, and Rosanne Macrina, made grants to various organiza-
tions; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently, the Genie Foundation merged with HeartShare,
ensuring the continuity of the Genie Foundation's mission and providing
enhanced benefits for children through HeartShare's wider spectrum of
services; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Lorraine M. Tozzo has
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the
respect and admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Lorraine M. Tozzo has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lorraine M. Tozzo upon the occasion of her designation by HeartS-
hare Human Services of New York as the recipient of its 2011 Heartshare
Genie Foundation Award on March 24, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lorraine M. Tozzo.