Senator Andrew Lanza Presents Elissa Montanti WITH Senate’s “Woman of Distinction" Award

Founder of the Staten Island-based Charity Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF),  Montanti Has Brought More Than 150 Children Injured in War Zones and Disasters to the USA for Medical Care  

Senator Andrew Lanza today honored Elissa Montanti as a New York State “Woman of Distinction”. The Senate's "Women of Distinction" program was created in 1998 to honor New York women who exemplify personal excellence, or whose professional achievements, acts of courage, selflessness, integrity or perseverance serve as an example to all New Yorkers.

Elissa Montanti founded the Staten Island-based Charity the Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF) in 1995 to help a Bosnian boy who had been severely injured by a land mine. Operating entirely on donations and contributions since, Ms. Montanti has aided more than 150 children from the USA and abroad, who have been injured through war, disaster, accidents or illness, with the help of a volunteer network of doctors, nurses, hospitals, airlines, prosthetics companies, community leaders and concerned volunteers.

Earlier today, Montanti dedicated a newly purchased, seven-room “Dare to Dream House,” that will accommodate children and their guardians during various stages of medical treatments and will also give Ms. Montanti’s small staff and volunteer helpers a modest office space. Her services have  touched lives in New York and far beyond, making her deserving of special recognition by the state Senate.

“Elissa Montanti is undoubtedly a “Woman of Distinction,” said Senator Andrew Lanza. “She’s given countless hours of service, overcome battles , and achieved extraordinary milestones. Her dedication, commitment and success bring special pride to our community.”    

Lanza’s District Operations Director, Anthony Reinhart, presented Montanti with a suitably engrossed proclamation at today’s ribbon cutting ceremony. Montanti was unable to attend the special Albany reception where  her photograph and biography was displayed in a public exhibit in the Legislative Office Building.

The "Woman of Distinction" program was created as part of the Senate's celebration of Women's History Month. Previous winners in the annual event have included leading women from the worlds of business, academics and civic life, as well as those who have performed heroic or selfless acts, made significant discoveries or provided examples of personal excellence against difficult odds.

To view Elissa Montanti’s biography in the Senate’s online gallery follow the link below:

http://www.nysenate.gov/story/elissa-montanti.

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