NILES Partnership honors Cafaro family for contributions to community

THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN
The Carmen DeChristofaro Award is named for a former Niles mayor.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- A family with a history of business development in the city has been honored for its community service.
The Cafaro family was presented with the 25th annual Carmen DeChristofaro Award during a banquet Monday at Vernon's Cafe and Banquet Centre.
David DeChristofaro, grandson of the former mayor for whom the award is named, said the award is given to recognize an individual or individuals whose community involvement and contributions have "made a positive difference in the lives of the people of Niles."
The award is presented by Partnership for a Greater Niles, an organization consisting of representatives from the Niles chapter of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, Niles Lions, Niles Kiwanis, Niles Rotary, Warren-Niles Zonta Club and Niles Jaycees.
Selection: The award honors people who have demonstrated community service. A committee made up of representatives from each organization accepts nominations and selects the award recipient each year.
DeChristofaro pointed to the Cafaro family's efforts to annex from Howland to the city the property for the Eastwood Mall complex, which in 1969 became "one of the first and largest enclosed shopping centers in the country."
The mall employs 6,000 people and generates 25 percent of the city's general-fund income, he said. DeChristofaro also listed the family's involvement in attracting MCI WorldCom to its current location on U.S. Route 422 and its investment in Cafaro Field, the minor league baseball stadium.
"It is an honor to have the Cafaro name associated with the memory and legacy of Carmen DeChristofaro," said Anthony Cafaro Sr., the president of the Cafaro Co.
Cafaro is the son of William Cafaro, who started the mall complex.
Anthony Cafaro told the gathering of about 100 that he always feels comfortable in Niles, where the residents exhibit a "strong work ethic and good family values."
"What I like about the city is, you always know where you stand," Cafaro said.
DeChristofaro, who died in December 1980, served three terms as Niles mayor, from 1964 to 1972. He also served for 32 years as a Weathersfield Township trustee, for 30 years as chairman of the American Red Cross' Niles branch and for 30 years on the Niles Recreation Board.