Midwood
When it comes to the fight against cancer, Joe Gillette is “nothing if not persistent,” he says. The owner of Plaza Auto Mall is also a miracle-worker. The fund-raising entrepreneur single-handedly united two opposing pols to join in the fight with him. Only in Brooklyn, folks — the borough of miracles. Joe garnered the help of state Sen. Roxanne Persaud, the diehard Democrat from Canarsie, and state Sen. Martin Golden, the reigning Republican from Bay Ridge, to raise more than $17,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Persaud celebrated the Relay for Life event with Joe at Plaza Auto Mall, raising $7,500, and Sen. Golden did a few thousand pushups at Harbor Fitness to raise $10,000 for the cause.
Standing O says “Thanks Joe, for the miracles — keep them coming. If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere!”
Plaza Auto Mall [2740 Nostrand Ave. at Avenue N in Midwood, (347) 983–9051].
Windsor Terrace
Fore!
Look out Tiger Woods — there’s another cub in town. Standing O is teeing off to wish golfing teen sensation Kevin McGloin lots of mazel when he competes in his first national tournament this month. City Parks Foundation awarded Kevin a scholarship that is sending him on an all-expense-paid trip to the Doral-Publix Junior Golf Classic in Florida, where he will tee off with other teens. City Parks Golf spokesperson Cristie Kerr told Standing O that Kevin, 17, has been with the program since 2005 and learned the ins and outs of golfing at Dyker Beach Park.
“Kevin has shown incredible dedication over the years, spending at least three hours practicing at the golf center five times a week and volunteering on the driving range every Sunday to help the younger players,” Kerr said.
This young dynamo holds the record for best score among the players at the junior golf center and won the 2015 New York State Association of Independent Schools Golf Championship.
“I’m really looking forward to traveling down to Florida,” Kevin said about the tournament. “It’s my first national competition with other players coming from around the world. I’ve played in tournaments that allow international athletes before, but for the most part, they only drew local players. I’m very excited to compete at this new level.”
Standing O is standing by, very quietly, to wish Kevin good luck.
Bensonhurst
Round up that posse!
Standing O sends kudos to Bishop Kearney High School senior Annaliese Tucci on becoming a Posse Scholar.
The Posse Foundation awarded her a full-tuition, four-year scholarship to Dickinson College. Committed to both her education and postsecondary success, Annaliese has embraced Kearney’s rigorous college preparatory program.
“Kearney has been the foundation of my academic success and has provided endless opportunities for me to grow and succeed as a person. I will take Kearney’s core values of community service and leadership with me for the rest of my life,” she said.
And she’ll do a great job representing her alma mater, Tucci’s college advisor said.
“Annaliese is a true ‘Kearney girl’ — a young woman who believes in using her education to make a positive contribution to society,” said Anne Kelly.
Bishop Kearney High School [2202 60th Street at Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst, (718) 236–6363]
