Monday, September 26th, 2011, 7:00pm Constatter’s
I promised you a look inside a very talented, yet unorthodox cast of characters called my family. People who welcome you with open arms and who you feel like you knew for years when it’s only been a matter of minutes. Real salt of the earth. My kids joke that everything I am I owe to spaghetti. Well, truth be told, everything I am I owe to those who have gone before me. Take Uncle Nick for instance. Recently deceased at the age of 81, Uncle Nick was a Pennsylvania State Senator who died after a courageous battle with cancer. Talk about a character — who can say they played their harmonica in the chambers of the Pennsylvania State Senate to the cheers of a packed house.
Beloved by his family and community, Uncle Nick personified service to others. At 18 years old, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for two years. After that, he spent the duration of his adult life helping his Philadelphia community and all Pennsylvanians through various political and governmental posts. Even after his passing Uncle Nick is still giving back to the community with his high school scholarship fund sponsored by the Tacony Torresdale Mayfair Lion’s Club (see below for details of this years fundraiser).
Uncle Nick’s political career began in 1948 when he became a Democratic committeeman of Philadelphia’s 41st Ward, which covers the neighborhoods of Mayfair, Tacony and Wissinoming. He later served as ward leader from 1966 until his retirement in 1993. But it was in 1981, when Uncle Nick won a special election to fill a vacant seat in the Pennsylvania Senate, that his political career reached its height. His seat was eliminated by redistricting in 1982. And though he spent just 14 months in the Senate, Uncle Nick sponsored 46 pieces of legislation benefiting senior citizens and working Pennsylvanians.
Not surprisingly, his goal was always to help those who needed it most. These are the people he felt most deserving. Earlier in his career, Uncle Nick held numerous administrative and supervisory positions in city government, including positions in City Council. He was also a dedicated member of community service organizations such as the Sons of Italy Tacony-Mayfair Lodge, where he served as Venerable for many years, and the Torresdale-Tacony-Mayfair Lions Club.
Uncle Nick always knew what was truly important: family, friends, and community service. It can be easy to lose sight of that. Check out this video of the Senator playing his harmonica at the age of 80!
Still giving back – 2nd annual Senator Nick Stampone Scholarship Fundraiser to benefit worthy 8th grade students from Tacony/Mayfair/Torresdale who have demonstrated achievements in the arts and/or public service and who will be attending a tuition based high school. To date, 5 outstanding students have benefited from these scholarships.
Where: Constatter’s – 9130Academy Road, Phila PA
When: September 26th, 2011, 7:00pm
Contribution – $30 Food, Wine, Beer, Music, Dancing, Tumbola Baskets
For tickets contact – Joe Stampone – 215-663-0400 – jstampone@stamponelaw.com