The smile on her face outshone any star.
On Sunday afternoon, March 21, Frances Orietta Scarantino, director of Reach for the STARS in Howard Beach, got her very first look at her brand new facility.
“It’s a huge difference,” said a beaming Scarantino. “I’m completely amazed. It looks fantastic.”
Just days earlier, Scarantino, her staff and parents got the good news – the multi-purpose children’s center, at 8 Coleman Square, had been chosen to star in Discovery Channel’s new series “Construction Intervention.”
“We’re really excited to be doing it,” said Discovery Channel executive producer Chris Rantamaki, who explained that the building was gutted and redone.
Work began on Tuesday, March 16 with Charlie “The Bulldog” Frattini – with 20 years’ construction experience – his crew, and between 70 and 100 people helping on set, many of whom were volunteers.
In fact, Angelo Gentile, of GSC Corp., the New Jersey contractors who did the construction, told The Courier “a lot of things weren’t good in there.”
Having worked with Discovery on five previous projects, Gentile, the project manager on the build, said that STARS was “the worst I’ve seen so far.”
He said that all the workers toiled to repair the structure’s foundation, walls, ceilings – and to bring the facility up to code.
“This means a lot to me,” said Gentile. “I have three boys of my own, and to give something back . . . is a tremendous feat.”
“I am overcome with emotion,” said Scarantino. “The kids deserve it. They [the crews] did so much work in the building. They were really, really nice people, great to work with.”
Chris Butler of Classic Awnings in West Babylon, L.I., his partner and staff did all the signage – for free.
“We liked the idea,” he said. “We’re a small business and we know what it’s like to have things go wrong and have people help.”
Scarantino applied to the show in December of last year. Reach for the STARS, which serves over 200 area families and stands for “Striving to Achieve and Reach Success,” had survived flooding and the effects of a fire next door.
“We had holes in the walls, two holes in the ceiling,” Scarantino told The Courier. “The walls and ceiling were crumbling.”
In addition, Scarantino lost her husband, Robert Foerderer, 45, earlier this year.
“It’s been a really tough time [for her],” said Rantamaki.
Part of the finishing touches included a plaque dedicated to Foerderer’s memory, an engagement photo hung on one wall, and a thank you DVD.
“This is fantastic, to see the before and after,” said Joe DiBlasi, secretary of the Southwest Queens Rotary Club, of which Scarantino will soon be president. “This means a lot to her. I’m glad this is happening, she deserves it.”
The retail value of the construction, according to Rantamaki, is between $200,000 and $300,000 – all of which is paid for by the network. Companies from all over the state also pitched in to help.
Daniela Amato, whose daughter Rosanna, 4, goes to STARS, and whose two-year-old Giuseppe soon will as well, said that she was “ecstatic” when she heard the good news.
“I think she [Scarantino] deserves it, the kids deserve it,” said Amato, who was one of hundreds on scene for the reveal. “It’s amazing what they’ve done in a week.”
Amato raves about STARS.
“The three-year-old program gives kids a head start,” she told The Courier. “Frances has an advanced program and the teachers are great. And my son will get to enjoy the new facility.”
“This is great for her, we’re very happy for Fran – not only for her, for the kids,” said teacher Erin Phillips. “This is a ray of sunshine in her life.”
The episode is set to air on May 25 at 10 p.m. on the Discovery Channel.
To learn more about Reach for the STARS, visit reachforthestarsdaycare.com.
