(above) Westfield Resident Giovanna Psolka, who will receive the David Cone Humanitarian Award at The David Cone Celebrity Charity Golf Classic to benefit the Ed Lucas Foundation in August.
David Cone Humanitarian Award goes to Westfield Resident
A Westfield resident for almost 20 years, Giovanna Psolka is being honored with the David Cone 2019 Humanitarian Award for her years of service and dedication at The David Cone Celebrity Charity Golf Classic to benefit the Ed Lucas Foundation on Monday, August 19, 2019 at Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park, NJ.
Giovanna moved to Westfield in 2000 and immediately immersed herself in the community. She joined the Westfield Welcome Club which is “dedicated to providing an inviting, friendly, and diverse environment in which to enjoy our beautiful community,” and eventually served as the fundraising chairwoman to help raise $2,600 for the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad in 2003. Giovanna’s three children went through the Westfield school system where she volunteered to help the elementary students create art projects on various occasions. She even served as the fundraising co-chair of the Westfield High School Marching Band for a couple of years and raised money to buy new uniforms.
While working at Ernst & Young, Giovanna volunteered for 12 years as the AccessAbilities Employee Professional Resource Network Leader, developing programs to raise awareness and provide guidance on workplace issues for the special needs community. Each year she led efforts for Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, running a student shadowing program during which she met Emmy-winning sports reporter Ed Lucas. Lucas is blind, and founded the Ed Lucas Foundation, a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization that offers financial support to the blind/visually impaired and others living with a disability.
“Giovanna has been my “go to” person and is an invaluable asset to the Ed Lucas Foundation,” said Ed Lucas. “Her dedication and work ethic in assisting me is truly remarkable. I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”
Giovanna currently serves as the Director of Development, Marketing, Social Media and Website Manager of the Ed Lucas Foundation. She is also an Executive Committee Member of the annual David Cone Celebrity Charity Golf Classic.
“Giovanna’s kindness and generosity to others is truly inspirational,” remarked Allison Lucas. “She can always be found at Ed’s side and is dedicated to he and I. She is the most giving person I have ever met.”
The fundraising event is being held on August 19, 2019 and will begin at 9 a.m. and runs until 9 p.m. The Brooklake Country Club will host the event, which will include golf with a celebrity, breakfast, VIP meet & greet, lunch on the course, Awards dinner, incredible auction items, celebrity photo ops, autographs, and live entertainment including a musical performance by Yankees legend Bernie Williams. Past events have been supported by celebrities such Phil Rizzuto, Gene Michael, Brian Cashman, David Wells, Mickey Rivers, Willie Randolph, Buck Showalter, Bart Oates, Al Santorini, Karl Nelson, Bruce Harper and Gerry Cooney.
To register for the event or make a donation, please visit theedlucasfoundation.org/donate. There is something for everyone – whether you want to play golf or simply attend the cocktail hour, live auction and dinner/entertainment portion of the evening!
