Queensboro UNICO, the Queens chapter of the largest Italian-American service organization in the United States, had a banner year and a holiday season to remember. Gaspare J. Mistretta was elected president of Queensboro UNICO in August 2019, after being a member for 17 years and holding “basically every position” at the private nonprofit organization. “From secretary to sergeant of arms, I worked my way up,” Mistretta said.

In the previous months, Mistretta and members of the Queensboro UNICO raised funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Sacred Heart in Glendale, veterans, first responders, food pantries, scholarships, several educational program as well as community service efforts in Glendale, Ridgewood and Middle Village.