Chamber of Commerce Holds First Meeting Without Late President

The West Islip Chamber of Commerce held its regular meeting on May 17, the first without its president Joseph DiPalma, who passed away on April 23. Chamber executive vice-president Diane Rossi-Fontana ran the meeting and added that DiPalma's passing, left a big whole in the hearts of the chamber.

"Our strength is our honor to Joe," she said. "He really did make a difference for so many people."

DiPalma is survived by his wife Debra, daughters Jamie and Brooke, father Joseph and sister Carmela. 

He was involved in numerous organizations in West Islip. Besides being president of the chamber of commerce, DiPalma was a former chief of the West Islip Fire Department, past president of the Suffolk County Burn Center and a member of the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition, West Islip Summit Coalition and PAWS. He was also a retired New York City Police Officer.

A scholarship fund has been set up in the names of Jamie and Brooke DiPalma. Donations can be sent to the Jamie and Brooke DiPalma Scholarship Fun, P.O. Box 264, West Islip, NY 11795.

In addition, a fundraiser has been set up for the cause. The "Fun in the Sun" fundraiser fashion show is an evening of fun summer fashions presented by the West Islip High School DECA Club and Lionheart. It will take place at La Grange Inn in West Islip on Thursday, June 17 from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $65 per adult and $40 per student and include a sit-down dinner and desert, DJ, dancing and raffles. There will be a cash bar. Checks should be made payable to "West Islip Summit Coalition, Inc." 

For further information, contact Diana Saadat at d.saadat@wi.k12.ny.us or 893-3250,  Ext. 2485 or Terry Gebbia at tgebbia@rieserest.com or 422-4764.

Also, on June 22, those who want to enjoy a night at the ballpark with the Long Island Ducks can also contribute to the Jaime and Brooke DiPalma Scholarship Fund. 

The evening begins with a pre-game picnic at 5 p.m. at Citibank Park. The picnic includes an all you can eat buffet with hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, ribs, roasted corn, tossed salad, Pepsi beverages, Entenmann's cookies, potato chips, snacks, watermelon, potato, and macaroni salad. Then, the Ducks take on the Camden Riversharks at 6:35 p.m. 

For more information, visit, www.asisli.org/index_files/Page1847.htm