Ann Torcivia

Ann Torcivia was born on March 12, 1955, and was raised in Suffolk County, Long Island. After graduating high school in 1973, Ms. Torcivia began her career as a travel agent, working in the field for more than 40 years, and opening Friends Travel 14 years ago.

Ms. Torcivia’s long and unparalleled record of community service includes work with the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, Levittown Kiwanis, the Long Island South Central Division of Kiwanis, the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, East Farmingdale Kiwanis Club and Seaford Kiwanis Club.

Most notable is Ms. Torcivia’s passion and commitment to helping children. Tragically, her son died in 2000 from aplastic anemia, a rare blood disease. In his memory, Ms. Torcivia established The Joey Foundation, Inc., which became a 501(c)(3) in 2014.

Ms. Torcivia has never forgotten the kindness, support and love shown to her during the years of Joey’s illness – from meals delivered, cards and letters of encouragement, Ronald McDonald House support during long hospital stays and special wishes granted to Joey by Marty Lyons Foundation. Joey was a vivacious, spunky, fun child! He never complained about his illness, but instead helped other children battle their diseases and illnesses. He was a “Nurses Assistant,” traveling with nurses from bed to bed, room to room, bringing cheer to all. Through it all, Ms. Torcivia and Joey never gave up and always kept a sense of hope, humor and humanity.

Ms. Torcivia’s philosophy is “when life gives you lemons, you truly make lemonade.” She will never forget the smile on Joey’s face when he received gifts, so the Foundation’s mission is to make a child smile. In addition to helping sick and needy children in the New York community, the Foundation has given more than 700 Easter baskets to kids in shelters and Christmas gifts to more than 500 kids, most of whom are in shelters.

Through the Joey Foundation, Ms. Torcivia not only helps children in the immediate community, but also globally. The Foundation raised money to put a new roof on a school in Jamaica, and has collected more than 2,000 used books to send to schools across that country.