The LaMartina House Lives On

When Andria Pullaro had a dream about her grandmother looking for a hammer in the kitchen drawer at her home on Central Park, she never envisioned that she would be handing Deloris Vaughn a similar hammer within a year. Such was the case on Saturday, July 28th at the dedication of 364 Central Park.

This moment came to fruition in large part because of the efforts of the Alongi-LaMartina families. The Alongis have both been extremely active members of Flower City Habitat for Humanity for many years. Mona is past President of the Board, and Dennis is on the Advisory Board. Dennis approached his cousin, Andrea Pullaro, the night after her dream, to see if she would be interested in helping to spearhead the building of a Habitat home on the site of their grandmother's home. Hence, a dream was born and has now been fulfilled. Habitat homeowner, Deloris Vaughn and her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Briana, are delighted to be living in the neighborhood and enjoying their new home.

Many fundraising activities helped to make this dream come true. A golf tournament at Victor Hills was held on May 22nd to help raise funds. Hosting a garage sale at the Public Market provided another venue for money, as well as a direct mailing and numerous private donations. None of this would have been possible without the direction of Erwin Mageary, site supervisor. Along with volunteers and FCHH's Hammer and Saw Club, the house was completed in four and a half months, just as scheduled.

On the morning of the dedication, a festive sight awaited the one hundred participants. Refreshments were set-up on Central Park. Father Laurence Tracy, pastor of St. Francis Xavier's Church, the former LaMartina family parish, gave the opening prayer and blessed the house. Dennis Alongi greeted the enthusiastic crowd, sharing his delight at this becoming someone else's home. He thanked FCHH for the opportunity to partner, and encouraged other families "to come back and give back."

Mayor Johnson expressed his happiness with Flower City Habitat's work in helping to revitalize the city, acknowledged to Deloris the importance of building the house and the neighborhood. His speech ended with the hope that others will be inspired "to plant some positive seeds in this community." Representing the County Executive's office, James McCauley,. who grew up in the Central Park area, encouraged all present to "keep up the good work." Arthur Woodward, Executive Director for FCHH, thanked the many partners, including the homeowners, the Hammer and Saw Club, the city, and the LaMartina family.

After the touching handing over of the hammer to Deloris by Andrea, four of the elder LaMartinas presented her with a Bible. Mary LaMartina Alongi perhaps best summarized the mood of the day when she said, "For many years the LaMartina family lived by the words of the Bible -- love and peace. May you live by them as well for many years to come, as you grow into all God intended you to be." Many emotional moments filled this beautiful summer morning as one generation whose dreams were born on this Central Park site established a bond with the next generation.