QCP Honors Leaders at RWNY, Investors Bank

BY BENJAMIN FANG

Hundreds of local foodies got a taste of some of the best restaurants in the borough at Queens Centers For Progress (QCP)’s annual Evening of Fine Food.

Dozens of eateries like M. Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City, London Lennies in Rego Park and Allora Italian Kitchen in Bayside provided samples of their gourmet meals at Terrace on the Park.

The evening also serves as a fundraiser for QCP, a Jamaica-based nonprofit that provides programs and services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The agency’s 600 staff members serve more than 1,500 people from all ages and backgrounds.

The funding goes a long way to supporting the organization’s programs.
“Our folks do imagine living in a better world,” said QCP board president Michael J. Macaluso. “With your support, they do.”

Each year, the Evening of Fine Food honors two local leaders in Queens for their contributions to the community and the agency. This year’s honorees were Scott Molina, president of Resorts World Casino New York City, and Maria Odysseos, vice president and district manager at Investors Bank.

Both “Chefs of the Year” received gold pans for their contributions.

For Molina, QCP’s programs are close to his heart because his daughter is a special education teacher.

“I can see how QCP changes people’s lives, not only for children and the adults, but for the staff members,” he said. “This experience has truly touched my life in a positive way.”