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Charity Always Begins at Home

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Real Estate Agent with Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754

Charity Always Begins at Home

The month of December is an active month for charities and organizations looking to get monthly pledges so as to continue doing the work they do. Whether it's for animals, children, or veterans. the work needs help and as the expression goes: You have no chance unless you ask.

I get it, and we do it, most of which is locally with the church charities that feed the poor, through pantries.

Even Santa's helpers with their red pots and bells in front of stores get assistance.

For me, however, the commissions I earn have gone to the Susan Komen foundation for breast cancer and the Children's Miracle network for kids. The foundation for which I get a personal thank you is the Dennis Antonacci Jr Scholarship foundation.

This is a charity that was established by my wife to honor her son who passed when he was 24 years old.

He had a big heart and loved life. His schooling was directed to be a social worker, and as such the charity awards 2 scholarships a year to graduating students that are going to work for degrees in social work or psychology.

The foundation was started late in 2014 and the first scholarships were given in 2015.

They have been awarded each year since and as is my custom, when I close a sale, I make a donation and most years it covers the amount of the annual awards.

The Scholarship foundation is recognized as a non-profit, 501c3 registered as   Antonacci Macary Scholarships, and is registered with the State of CT as such.

The official website can be found at DennisJrScholarship.org and is almost at the stage of being self-sustaining, which is my wife's goal.

This is an entry in the December Challenge,  Acts of Kindness, Sharing Love and Joy, although my efforts are year-round.

Charity Always Begins at Home

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Edward (Ed) Silva

 Broker Associate

Mapleridge Realty LLC

Serving Central Connecticut Sellers and Buyers

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Show All Comments Sort:
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Ed - I get the message of your post.  

Dec 30, 2023 10:55 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 your wife's and your inspiration for the charity is powerful.  

I cannot imagine losing a child at any age let alone, 24.

The Dennis Antonacci Jr Scholarship Foundation lives in his honor. Your donations at the close of every sale, in most years, cover the annual awards.  Impressive! 

Thank you for sharing information about the foundation and the inspiration behind it. 

Thank you for your full participation in the December Kindness Challenge. 

 

Dec 30, 2023 01:38 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Ed- I too cannot imagine losing a child. What you and your wife are doing to honor his memory and to help others is remarkable. I also admire the fact that you donate from each of your commissions. Thank you for sharing this information. 

Dec 30, 2023 02:16 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Ed:

I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose my child. What a wonderful charity to contribute to. That's a special way to honor Dennis.

Jeff

Dec 30, 2023 02:21 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Ed,

I'm impressed with your wife starting the Dennis Antonacci Jr Scholarship Foundation. It is wonderful as this charity lives on in his honor. Your donations at the close of every sale is admiral and a great way to help those in you own community. 

Dec 30, 2023 08:54 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Michael Jacobs  There are times when we just do what we need to do, no questions asked.

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist   Thank you for the kind words. As I noted above, we just do what we have to do and don't question the why.

Dec 31, 2023 05:26 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Kathy Streib  It was an act of love on my wife's part and will soon be self-supporting and for that she is grateful.

Jeff Dowler, CRS   It is and that was the intention when it was started.

Dorie Dillard Austin TX   Thank you. The rest of the family also supports it and she also gets surprise contributions from people once she mentions the scholarship. Some of the first recipients have sent contributions as well.

Dec 31, 2023 07:21 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Sunday morning, Ed. I am getting constant error messages as I try to comment on posts this morning.

Happy New Year!

Dec 31, 2023 07:44 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Ed is this the one one I went to a few years ago?

If it is Cauna did an outstanding job!!!

Dec 31, 2023 12:50 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That sounds like a very worthwhile place for your charitable contributions to go!

Jan 01, 2024 08:26 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

What an excellent charity. So close to your heart and to your family.

Jan 01, 2024 02:23 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

I went to the site. What a beautiful way to honor this young man. Thank you for posting this very personal story. I pray a ton of money is raised in his honor.

Jan 02, 2024 01:15 PM