After serving as the Executive Director at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island for the past 13 years, Silvana LaFerlita Gullo has announced her resignation from the House. Silvana began her tenure with the House in 1993. After her first month, she knew it was the beginning of a love affair that would last for the rest of her life.

A dynamic individual with a zest for life, Silvana's passion and commitment for the House soon became evident. She became a confidante and a source of comfort to the parents, grandparents and children who took refuge at the House while they were forced to be away from their own homes.

Silvana's professionalism and leadership on the job was the catalyst behind many success stories at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. To her credit, Silvana has created, overseen and directed structures and procedures that resulted in improved productivity and performance levels in all facets of the organization's operations, communications and administrative systems. As an active participant in the Board of Director's Building committee, she was an on-site construction manager in several major building renovation projects. She successfully led the organization's fundraising activities and established and maintained meaningful relationships with major corporations, foundations and banking institutions. Silvana also developed and implemented strategies to help meet the annual operating budget, which increased dramatically after the completion of a $5 million expansion campaign. This endeavor resulted in an additional 24 bedrooms, larger kitchen facilities and new lounge/playroom.

Realizing the significance of building a strong relationship with the volunteers who make the House the warm and efficient home-away-from home it is, Silvana was instrumental in expanding the volunteer base to its present 180 people. The volunteers are the heartbeat of the House and provide valuable services to the residents and staff.

When speaking of her accomplishments, Silvana is proud of her role in the organization's most recent expansion project. She helped bring to fruition the most important capital campaign project, costing $5 million, which resulted in more living accommodations for the families who depend on the services the House provides.

She becomes introspective when she reflects on the many families she has helped through the years.

"When the children I met went home, I felt sad and happy at the same time. I became so attached to them," said Silvana. "But just when I thought my heart would break and I couldn't bear it, another family with another beautiful child would walk in ready to have me love them....it was like that year after year. It's incredible how many families I've touched and how many have touched my life since I walked through these doors nearly 14 years ago. I have truly been blessed!"

Silvana is a Garden City resident who lives with her husband, Philip and two children, Oliver, 15 and Zita, 11, of whom she is extremely proud. Her hobbies, outside of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, include rescuing animals. She has saved countless unwanted litters of kittens, had dozens of feral cats spayed and neutered and taken in many a stray dog. An animal advocate by nature, she is fond of all breeds of animals, but has a particular fondness for horses.

As for the future, Silvana has set goals for herself which include staying involved at the House on some level. She also aspires to continue living her life having a positive impact in the lives of those around her.