DiMatteo Group Donates $57k to Kennedy Center, Working on Group Homes

In honor of their recent , the in Shelton has donated $57,000 from their 2010 and 2011 golf tournaments to a large scale project for The Kennedy Center based in Trumbull, one of the largest rehabilitation agencies in the state.

This family-owned and operated firm specializes in insurance, employee benefits, income tax and financial services.

The DiMatteo Family Foundation is generously funding interior and exterior renovation projects at two Kennedy Center group homes:  Probus House, 755 Palisade Ave. in Bridgeport and Old Good Hill Home in Oxford.

Fifteen staff volunteers from DiMatteo Group recently beautified the landscape at Probus House on Saturday morning, June 25. These dedicated volunteers hedge trimmed, weeded, spread new mulch and planted flowers. In addition, a new deck was added, a bathroom was totally updated and renovated, and new floors have been installed.

Work on the Old Good Hill Home in Oxford has been scheduled for later this summer, when a new awning and other repair projects will be started.

Area contractors participated in the Probus House project by offering discounted supplies and services included: Red Barn Carpet in Newtown, Midland Development in Shelton, Ferris Mulch in Newtown, East Haven Builders in East Haven and Gary Rebar Plumbing in Shelton.

“The Kennedy Center is truly indebted to the DiMatteo Group and their Family Foundation for coordinating this large-scale project with their staff and vendors. Our entire agency is thrilled with the generous outpouring of goodwill that will make our two group homes such a special place for our clients,” said Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center.            

John DiMatteo, President of the DiMatteo Group in Shelton, added, “We are thankful to all our friends, family members and customers who have so generously supported our golf tournament, which funds our Foundation. We are fortunate to give back to the community for such a great cause as The Kennedy Center and to help people with disabilities live in such a homelike nurturing environment.”

Last year, the DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation was honored at The Kennedy Center’s Four Seasons Ball for their commitment to this large community project. They were recognized as a Residential Medallion Sponsor of the ball, which raises funds for group homes.

The DiMatteo Group has always been a supportive corporate neighbor of the community. This spirit of philanthropy resulted in the creation of the DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation six years ago and their annual golf tournament. Their Foundation was established as a tribute to their late father who was battling cancer at the time. 

“Our Family Foundation is committed to funding research, education and finding a cure for diseases that have touched the lives of our friends, families, clients and staff,” said John DiMatteo. “We are proud to have raised more than $125,000 for over 10 well-known local and national charities.”            

This year, the DiMatteo Group recently received the Community Service Award from the Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut Inc. their Annual Convention at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket.             

This prestigious honor is typically given to a single individual but was awarded to an independent agency because all their employees have demonstrated an extraordinary amount of volunteerism and charity work. Their entire staff has participated in many community events and projects throughout the year that support local families, including their latest project, the Kennedy Center group homes.

According to company President John DiMatteo, “We continue to maintain the integrity of our business, which was founded by our parents, by offering personalized service and treating others as an extension of our family. Each sibling or spouse manages a key department.”              

All four siblings serve as officers of the company. John specializes in financial planning and works with his wife, Kim DiMatteo of Bethany, a partner in the business and sales manager. Loretta Lesko of Shelton, the second youngest sibling, serves as Vice President and is in charge of Operations, while her husband Robert Lesko is a partner and Life Sales Manager. Likewise, Victoria DiMatteo of West Haven, the youngest sibling, holds the position Secretary of the Corporation and Personal Lines Sales. In addition, Rosemarie Esposito of Shelton, the eldest sibling, is the agency’s Treasurer, an Enrolled Agent and manages the Income Tax Business and Bookkeeping Services. Visit www.dimatteogroup.com for more information.              

The Kennedy Center is a nationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves over 1,800 individuals annually.The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years. The Kennedy Center operates 21 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs.