Community Bay Ridge

Remembering Haley Daquara
Liberty Kiwanis, Greenhouse Café
hold fundraiser to celebrate a life

‘Haley Girl Karaoke Night’ brings community out to celebrate the life of Haley Daquara

April 19, 2024 Wayne Daren Schneiderman
From left: Dominick Santo, Kiwanis president (Dyker Heights/Borough Park); Penny Santo, Brooklyn Lt. Gov., Liberty Kiwanis Club; and Bobby Daquara, owner, Greenhouse Café. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
From left: Dominick Santo, Kiwanis president (Dyker Heights/Borough Park); Penny Santo, Brooklyn Lt. Gov., Liberty Kiwanis Club; and Bobby Daquara, owner, Greenhouse Café. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
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BAY RIDGE — The Brooklyn Lt. Gov., Liberty Kiwanis Club, in partnership with Greenhouse Café, held a fundraiser to honor the memory of the late Haley Daquara, who died in 2013 when she was 10 of a rare genetic disorder. The event was co-hosted by Haley’s father, Bobby Daquara, along with Penny Santo, Lt. Governor-Elect of Liberty Kiwanis.

Members of the Daquara family were the guests of honor at the fundraiser held in memory of the late Haley Daquara, who passed away from a rare blood disorder in 2013. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rick Buttacavoli
Members of the Daquara family were the guests of honor at the fundraiser held in memory of the late Haley Daquara, who passed away from a rare blood disorder in 2013. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rick Buttacavoli

The event, entitled “Haley Girl Karaoke Night,” which lasted more than four hours, raised a reported “several thousand dollars,” which will be given to Maimonides Medical Center’s Pediatric Inpatient facility, according to Santo. 

Haley Daquara passed away from a rare blood disorder in 2013. Photo courtesy of the Daquara family.
Haley Daquara passed away from a rare blood disorder in 2013. Photo courtesy of the Daquara family.

Haley was diagnosed with Hurler syndrome at six months old. It’s a disorder that causes a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme, which breaks down fats and sugars in the blood.

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Dominick and Penny Santo show off their 'Team Haley" T-shirts at the event. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rick Buttacavoli
Dominick and Penny Santo show off their ‘Team Haley” T-shirts at the event. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rick Buttacavoli

“I truly believe that people like to help other people — and they love to help kids,” explained Daquara. “There was a lot of positive energy at this event, and everybody had a great time.

“You can’t just have an event and have 100 folks show up on a Wednesday night unless people are really seriously involved with giving back and helping,” Daquara continued. “I could see Haley — who was a big karaoke fan — looking down with a big smile on her face.”

One of the more emotional, heartfelt, and memorable moments of the evening, Santo said, was when a video played on the overhead screen featuring young Haley singing along karaoke-style with one of her favorite tracks — “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus — and joined by the Greenhouse crowd, singing along in unison with her. 

Santo, who has been a member of the Kiwanis Club for 15 years and spearheading fundraisers for more than 25 years, said the organization “is all about helping kids and people in the community,” adding that her favorite thing about the group is that everyone is always there for each other, and is like an extended family.  

Honoree Joseph Mure Jr. (right) poses with Greenhouse Cafe proprietor Bobby Daquara. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rick Buttacavoli
Honoree Joseph Mure Jr. (right) poses with Greenhouse Cafe proprietor Bobby Daquara. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rick Buttacavoli

Santo also noted that she is also seeing a trend of more younger people being interested in community service and giving back — and ultimately being Kiwanians.

“Our treasurer is 30 and one of our youngest members,” she said. “And there are a lot of students from Xaverian [High School] that often offer to help and volunteer.” 

The “Haley Girl Karaoke Night” fundraiser also honored several Maimonides staff members, including Athalca Henry, RN; Alexis Ellis, Child Life specialist; and Mary Loretta, nursing director of the pediatric floor. 

In addition, a Lt. Governor’s award was given to Joseph Mure Jr. Esq. for his dedication to the children in the community and his work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 

Lucien Giancursio, governor of Kiwanis (home club Rochester West Central), also attended the event, along with several other Kiwanians and former assemblyman (District 49) Peter Abbate.

Brooklyn Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Penny Santo (second from left) and New York District Kiwanis Gov. Lucien Giancursio (far right) congratulate Maimonides Health honorees Pediatric Floor Nursing Director Mary Loretta, Child Life Specialist Alexis Ellis, and Athalca Henry, R.N. (left to right). Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rick Buttacavoli
Brooklyn Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Penny Santo (second from left) and New York District Kiwanis Gov. Lucien Giancursio (far right) congratulate Maimonides Health honorees Pediatric Floor Nursing Director Mary Loretta, Child Life Specialist Alexis Ellis, and Athalca Henry, R.N. (left to right). Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rick Buttacavoli

“This is the first year this type of karaoke/fundraiser has been done, and we are very satisfied with how things went,” Santo said. “Haley would be very happy. That said, we expect to do the same thing again next year.”


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