STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — 5050 Skatepark wished the Staten Island Ferry a happy 200th birthday by holding a fundraiser for a local hospital Saturday night in Stapleton.
The free event offered live music, food and featured dozens of paintings and photographs of Staten Island’s iconic boat — which were donated by numerous local artists.
Photographs and artwork were submitted by Vin Barone, Mark Blasko, Jozette Carter-Williams, Michael Defuri, Eric Isaksen, Kristopher Johnson, Nick Jones, Ryan Lavis, Scott Marceau, Maggie Rose Melito, Carol Mitteldorff, Don Arangio, Chad Rachman, Valentiono Scaramella, Michael Sent, Mike Shane, Virginia Sherry, Adam Smith, Sean Sweeney, Tabitha Leee Turchio and Scott Van Campen.
The goal of the night was to raise money for construction on Richmond University Medical Center’s (RUMC) new emergency room in West Brighton.
Eric Isaksen, an EMT at RUMC, helped organize the event along with 5050 co-founder Ed Pollio.
“This is something I feel really passionate about,” said Isaksen. “I love riding my bike here at 5050, I love photography, but most important is helping people that need better emergency health care on the North Shore.”
As for Pollio, anything that involves “showing off art” and “raising money for a hospital” is something he’ll always be a part of.
