Briana Marino
St. John's University
Charles Wankel
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Mark Tranchina is owner of the Vanderbilt at South Beach on Staten Island, New York. His work at the party venue, catering hall, and restaurants left him wondering how he could make a greater impact in the community. This led to the start of the Boardwalk Days at South Beach. A prominent part of this is the Give-Back Wednesdays program, which was started in 2014. The mission of this program is "To foster a greater connection among the borough's residents, businesses, and non-profit agencies. By inviting local non-profits to engage with the community, dispense information about their organization and recruit volunteers to their cause as part of a 'Give-Back Wednesdays' program, we provide an opportunity for them to connect one-on-one with their neighbors and local business owners in an easygoing atmosphere, where information can be shared and awareness raised, all to the betterment of the Staten Island community."
The creation of the Boardwalk Days at South Beach program includes summer-long programming such as free Sunday concerts, fireworks spectaculars, family and kid activities like face painting and zumba classes in collaboration with the YMCA, and most importantly, the Give-Back Wednesdays program. This Give-Back program highlights local non-profits and provides an opportunity for them to connect one-on-one with their neighbors and local business owners in an easygoing atmosphere, where information can be shared and awareness raised, all to the betterment of the Staten Island community.
Source: www.boardwalkdays.com
Mark's inspiration for this program sprouted after the disaster of Hurricane Sandy. This natural disaster led to the destruction of the Staten Island boardwalk and furthermore created lack of activity and business on South Beach. After re-building his waterfront businesses (The Vanderbilt at South Beach, The South Fin Grill, and the Boardwalk Grill), Mark realized there was more to be done to reinvigorate the boardwalk.
Created a reinvigorated boardwalk for residents of Staten Island to gather on and give back to the community through weekly affordable and pre fixed dinners at The Vanderbilt in support of local non-profits as well as to enjoy the beautiful natural restoration of South Beach after the destruction from Hurricane Sandy.
The Vanderbilt at South Beach opens to diners during the Give-Back Wednesday dinners over the course of the summer. This benefits business by drawing in customers to the grand waterfront ballroom, even if they are not in a catered event or a large wedding or other party. The same dining and awareness experience has been implemented by Mr. Tranchina in his business next door, the South Fin Grill.
Mark's innovation affected Staten Island environmentally by bringing individuals and families back to the boardwalk after the massive destruction from Hurricane Sandy. He fostered an environment for fun and awareness through his programs like concerts, weekly fireworks, and the Give-Back Wednesday program that benefit the borough by creating an exciting gathering place for all and a new sense of community.
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