The 11th annual DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament was an overwhelming success, and contributed more than $33,000 to three nonprofits.
Representing this year’s beneficiaries are from left, Raymond Baldwin, Jr., President/CEO of St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services in Trumbull; Dianne Auger, President/CEO of St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, for St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound in Bridgeport; Joseph Pagliaro, Jr., President, Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in Shelton, with Rosemarie Esposito and Robert Lesko, both of Shelton, board members of the DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation./Contributed photo
STRATFORD - Golf and giving went hand in hand recently when more than 120 golfers swung their clubs at the 11th Annual DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament.
Organized by the DiMatteo Group in Shelton, supporters played a round of golf at Oronoque Country Club in Stratford to benefit three local nonprofits.
The DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation split the $33,000 proceeds equally between the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in Shelton, St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services in Trumbull, and St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound in Bridgeport.
The Foundation was established by the DiMatteo Group 11 years ago as a tribute to Anthony “Tony” DiMatteo, their late father and company founder, who was battling cancer at the time.
“Our Family Foundation in conjunction with our Golf Tournament is committed to supporting various organizations that have made a difference in the lives of our family, clients, and staff,” said John DiMatteo, President of the DiMatteo Group.
“Since its inception over a decade ago, we have contributed over $330,000 for various well-known local and national charities that fund research, education, and finding a cure for diseases.”
Founded over 56 years ago, the family-owned and operated business specializes in insurance, employee benefits, income tax, and financial services. Giving back to the community is part of the company’s mission.
A committee of nearly 25 volunteers planned this annual golf tournament.
The following volunteers deserve special recognition for volunteering more than five years: Shelton residents Lena DiMatteo, Rosemarie Esposito, Loretta Lesko, Robert Lesko, Natalie Lesko, Barbara Gelozin, Nancy Opitz, Karen Minopoli, and Maureen Yash; Bethany residents John DiMatteo, Kim DiMatteo, and Michael DiMatteo; Maria Rodrigues of Milford, Sue Doolan of Orange, Genie Tricarico of Seymour, and Debbie Bobela of Monroe.
Many area companies and business associates of DiMatteo Group contributed to the tournament as sponsors. Top gold sponsors included: Liberty Mutual Insurance, Fairway Payments, The Hartford, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield and the DiMatteo Group. Park City Ford of Bridgeport was the hole-in-one sponsor.
At the silver sponsor level, the following generous sponsors were: Preferred Tool and Die, Inc. of Shelton, 3PL Worldwide, Inc. and Berliner Insurance.
Other event sponsors included: Commonwealth Cares Fund, Inc., Acadia Insurance, Selective Insurance, and CATIC Financial, Inc.
In addition, for over a decade, Steve Geremia from Safelite AutoGlass in Bridgeport has organized a "Hit the Windshield" putting contest on the day of the tournament and donates the prize and the proceeds.
John DiMatteo added, “We are extremely grateful to all our friends, family, and customers who have so generously contributed to our golf tournament. This annual event is the major source of funding for our Family Foundation and we want to recognize the community’s ongoing support.”
Some of the past beneficiaries of the golf tournament have included: Project Purple, National Kidney Foundation, the Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, The Kennedy Center, Juvenile Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Spooner House, Homes for the Brave Female Soldiers/Forgotten Heroes, and MovingWithHOPE.
DiMatteo Group continues to maintain its foundation of integrity, personalized service and treating others as an extension of the family. “We have successfully transitioned the business from our parents and founders to the second generation with three siblings and two spouses, each of whom manages a key department,” said John DiMatteo.
Three siblings serve as officers of the company. John DiMatteo of Bethany specializes in financial planning and works with his wife, Kim DiMatteo, a partner in the business.
Loretta Lesko of Shelton, the second youngest sibling, serves as Vice President, and is in charge of Operations, while her husband Robert Lesko is a partner.
In addition, Rosemarie Esposito of Shelton, the eldest sibling, is the agency’s Treasurer, an Enrolled Agent and manages DiMatteo Group – Tax & Accounting Services LLC. View www.dimatteogrp.com for more information.
This is a press release from the DiMatteo Group.
