6 The Queens Courier • february 5, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Life’s WORC thanks Geraldo Rivera with Times Square billboard BY THE QUEENS COURIER STAFF editorial@queenscourier.com/@queenscourier Geraldo Rivera has made it through six episodes of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” where he has raised more than $700,000 for Life’s WORC. And the nonprofit is thanking him on an enormous billboard hanging above Times Square. The electronic billboard, which is currently running at Broadway and 47th Street, is telling people to watch Rivera as he raises money for his charity Life’s WORC on the reality TV competition show. The shoutout is thanks to Life’s WORC Executive Board Member at Large Rick Del Mastro, who owns the billboard, according to the agency’s assistant executive director of development and public affairs, Matt Zebatto. “It’s a significant amount of money that Rivera has won and it’s giving us national recognition,” Zebatto said. Established 44 years ago by The Queens Courier publisher Victoria Schneps with help from Rivera, Life’s WORC, which is based in Garden City, provides services to some 1,400 people with developmental disabilities in eastern Queens, Nassau County and western Suffolk. Since Rivera has raised $740,000 for Life’s WORC through “Celebrity Apprentice” so far, Del Mastro and the agency wanted to show their appreciation. “How did you do this?” a thankful Rivera said upon learning about the billboard. They are also planning on using the billboard soon to thank individual donors, who have given money during fundraising challenges on the show. On the Jan. 12 episode, where as team leader Rivera raised $294,780, one donor wrote him a $99,999 check. Life’s WORC hopes Rivera’s appearance on “Celebrity Apprentice” not only gives the agency national recognition, but also gives it “some breathing room in its budgeting and finances since New York State has been economizing, reducing funds available in the developmental disabilities field,” said Janet Koch, Life’s WORC executive director. The nonprofit is opening a 10,000-square-foot Family Center for Autism next to its Garden City headquarters this April, which will have 60 programs for autistic children and their families, according to Zebatto. “Geraldo’s winnings will enable Life’s WORC to BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FREE Measuring & Installation w/purchase of $100. with this ad. • Draperies • Vertical Blinds • Honeycomb Shades • Custom Window Shades • Mini Blinds Nobody Beats Our Prices! • Roman Shades • Balloon Shades • Swags & Jabots • Shutters • Upholstery • Radiator Covers • Table Pads UP TO 70% OFF LIST PRICE Free Interior Design Consultation $20 OFF with purchase of $200 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 2/13/15 $50 OFF with purchase of $500 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 2/13/15 $100 OFF with purchase of $1,000 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 2/13/15 GOMER’S Window Treatments SINCE 1962 FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE SERVING QUEENS AND LONG ISLAND 1.800.522.6156 www.gomersdecorators.com serve more people in its Family Center for Autism,” Schneps said. “Our new building will forever be a center of excellence with superbly qualified staff to provide desperately needed programs.” “The Celebrity Apprentice,” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on NBC. Photo by Alex Coroneos JOHN J. CIAFONE, Esq. Attorney & Counselor at Law Your Partner In The Struggle For Justice ON THE LAW with John J. Ciafone Esq. Q. What is Discretionary Trust? A. A Trust created by a Trustor to protect one’s assets and covey these assets to benefi ciaries without the need for a Will. The person that runs the Trust, Trustee, makes decisions for the Trust and makes all distributions to a child or other benefi ciary. The Trust protects the benefi ciary, usually a child, from most creditors, lawsuits and bankruptcies. Since the assets remain in the Trust, it protects from divorcing spouses and keeps future ex-spouses or new spouses (remarriage) from taking your child’s inheritance. • Personal Injury/ Accidents • Workers’ Compensation • Wills/Estates • Criminal • Medical Malpractice* • Real Estate • Commer./Corp./ Business • Matrimonial/ Divorce • Bankruptcy • Elder Law • Trial Lawyer Serving the needs of our community 24 Hours/7 Days 25-59 Steinway St., Suite 2F, Astoria, NY 11103 718-278-3900 *FREE CONSULTATION AT HOME, HOSPITAL OR WORK
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