When you think of great people and their accomplishments, you may think of Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison or maybe Amadeus Mozart or maybe Louis Pasteur, but, have you ever heard of Joe Slaninka?
Joe Slaninka was our guest speaker at our last Williston Park Rotary meeting. We have had many speakers at our club over the years, however, not one as dynamic as Joe.
Joe Slaninka is a teacher’s aide and works at the Viscardi Center in Albertson. Years ago it was known as” Abilities.” This is a place we disabled children and adults went to learn and work and was started by Dr. Henry Viscardi.
Joe is a very popular man on campus. He’s constantly working with the children and he coaches the wheelchair basketball team also known as “Team Viscardi.”
Joe went on to tell us all about the Viscardi Center and about the children that go there. He went on to tell us all the things that these special children can do, just as we can, however they do it in a different way.
One of Joe’s major accomplishments is that he organized a team of bike riders who raise money for the basketball team at the Viscardi Center. The bike ride starts at various points from Manhattan ,Queens, Nassau and Suffolk all the way out to the Montauk lighthouse.
Over the years Joe has raised thousands of dollars for the basketball team at the Viscardi Center. When Joe is not teaching, or playing basketball, he is raising money for the Viscardi Center. He also oversees the Ambassadors Club, a group of students from the Viscardi Center that travel to other schools educating students on the challenges that these children are faced with on a daily basis. We couldn’t believe Joe’s attitude, it was one that is “ can do “ and I don’t think the word “no” is in Joe’s vocabulary.
I don’t think we ever met such a person with an unbelievable character, ability, not disability and a passion for the work going on at the Viscardi Center.
Joe just recently arranged to take some of his “singing students” to Shea Stadium or should I say Citi Field on Wednesday, May 8. He was invited to throw out the first pitch before the game and some of his “singing students” will be singing “Take me out to the ballgame “on the field before the game. This is another fundraiser that Joe has put together in order to raise funds for the Viscardi Center.
As we sat and listened to Joe, He has a long list of accomplishments. He is a person of such great positive attitude and energy and a teaching ethic compared to none. Joe is confined to a wheelchair and you may think it may hinder his ability, but I got news for you… Joe has more accomplishments in helping the children of the Viscardi Center than most able bodies.
There will be some Rotary members accompanying Joe on Wednesday, May 8 to Citi Field to listen to the Viscardi “student singers”and also to watch Joe throw out the first pitch of the game . If anyone is interested in going that evening, you can call Nancy Zolezzi at 516-248-8716.
Keep up the good work….we salute you, Joseph Slaninka !!
