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Lariccia family honored for donations to program
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
YOUNGSTOWN
“When somebody is in need, there is a saint to help, and Anthony Lariccia is this community’s saint,” said Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti.
Lariccia, his wife, Mary, and daughters Natalie and Dana received a Certificate of Appreciation on Thursday from the Mahoning County District Board of Health for donating $180,000 over three years to the department’s Adult Day Services program.
“You have been a godsend for this program. Without you, it would not exist,” Donald A. Somers, health board member, said to the Lariccia family.
The Lariccias’ original gift in 2008 came when the program was in danger of closing for lack of money. At the time, they pledged $60,000 a year for as long as necessary to keep the program, which serves 20 to 25 clients a day, operating.
The family presented its third $60,000 check to the health department for the program in March.
“This is my favorite charity along with Angels for Animals,” Mary Lariccia said.
“We are pleased to do this, and we do it out of love. Without love, we have nothing at all,” said Lariccia, vice president of Merrill Lynch brokerage firm in Canfield.
“Many of these people here fought for our country,” he said of the program clients. “I have great respect for the military and the aged. We’re all in the same boat. We’re all just renting space.”
The Adult Day Services program, begun in 1983, had served nearly 4,000 people over the years, said Matthew Stefanak, county health commissioner.
The program, open daily Monday through Friday, provides transportation for those who need it and helps many of them to continue living independently, he said.
The seniors play cards, do crafts and exercise, and there is a nurse on duty who does general health checkups and helps with medications, said Joyce Naymick, activities director.
“Our bus driver is the best guy in the world. He helps us all. Without this place, where would we go,” said client Frances Tomaskovich of Youngstown.
“Without Tony, this place wouldn’t be the same. It is like home to us. We’re all family. We’d be lost without it,” said Amelia Brewer of Youngstown, another client.