Evening star., 1941-08-03
Tony Keeps En- Busy


skating and general relaxing are open to all
his friends - and that includes most of
Rockland County. His parties are famous
both for food and for the fact that a guest is
likely to find himself chatting simultaneously
with United States Senator and one of
Tony's crack bulldozer operators. TONY
Cucolo.' says sober local millionaire, lis the
most genial. thoughtful and courteous host
ever knew" Which is some send-off from a
man who has seen his share of London, New
port and Park Avenue.
For years the presence of cold and hunger
among his neighbors spoiled Tonys appetite
when he sat down to the gorgeous spaghetti
and minestrone dished up by Mrs. Cucolo -
Who for all Tony's prosperity, won't have
cook in the house He kept making fumbling
efforts to utilize his money and imagination in
helping people out. Getting schoolteachers to
supply the names of kids whose families could
use Christmas and Thanksgiving baskets
and sending the baskets in absolute anonym-
ity
But his efforts were all fragmentary and
hit-or-miss. Tony wanted some arrangement
to give free-style neighborliness flexible, free
hand. without the delays and red tape that 90
with public or private aid as usually organized.
This outfit does not try to compete with
federal or local aid on long term relief Instead
it rallies behind the in-between neighbors who,
in a tough spot because of red tape, delay,
temporary hard luck, pride or inadequate
public aid. need help first and questions asked
afterwards. Tony pounds that principle into
the desk every time there is meeting of the
Society's steering committee - which usually
takes place in his Office and consists, most
casually, of any members who happened to be
home when the telephone summons went
round
Grapevine System
LIVERY Society membership card reads:
When my neighbor needs help, must call
-. followed by the names and phone num-
bers of fifteen strategically placed members
who will get action at once whenever phoned.
Grapevine plus telephone is hard combina-
ton to beat. Ninety per cent of the people
helped 50 far came to notice by that route -
and might otherwise never have had any help
at all
The Society has eyes and ears everywhere.
Last winter an old grandmother, caring for
small grandson and abandoned by her chill
dren, with part of her house burned down,
was discovered to be desperately i'll with
pneumonia at the same time that the grand
child had measles. What was left of the house
was freezing cold. Small funds, no friends, no
hope.
But an inquisitive neighbor who knew
about the Society telephoned member, and
doctors, nurses, ambulance - and home
for the grandchild when Grandma died in the
hospital - all happened like lightning. Just
streamlined neighborliness.
Tony had bad shock when he heard that
the expense of running most philanthropic in
stitutions eats up lot of their funds, thus
greatly cutting the amount available for those
who need it. And famous philanthropists told
him that there wasn't any practical remedy
for that failing.
Tell Tony Cucolo that there's no practical
way to do certain thing that needs doing,
and he will spit on his hands and do it in
very practical and original way of his own.
That was what happened when he built the
CONTINUED on pose 81