Three More Students Receive Computers Thanks to Business Networking Group

On Sunday, March 26th, the Breakfast Club Group, a network of real estate professionals, donated three Dell laptops to area students to help further their studies and contribute to their available educational resources. The Board of First Baptist Church of White Plains in conjunction with Misión Bautista Hispana de Westchester, identified three rising star students from their faith community to receive the computers. Rev. Kei Okada was on hand to recognize the students and the generosity of Statewide Abstract and President Ken Meccia who spearheaded this effort on behalf of the Breakfast Club Group.

The Breakfast Club has now donated a total of seven laptops since 2020 when the group decided to help students who were struggling with school assignments due to the pandemic. The three students included Denisson Jose and Edwin Lithgow, both of White Plains High School, and Luis Gonzalez, a graduate of Mamaroneck High School and now attending SUNY New Paltz majoring in international business.

The recent recipients expressed their gratitude to the group and the congregation prayed for the students and for the members of The Breakfast Club Group. “It was an inspiring morning,” stated Ken Meccia, President of Statewide Abstract and co-founder of The Breakfast Club. He added, “We are happy that we can make a difference to these young students so they can strive to reach their full potential. Some of the things we take for granted, like a laptop computer, can open up a world of possibilities for a young mind and we are happy to give back in this way.”

The Breakfast Club was founded by Robert Withers of M1 Capital and Kenneth Meccia of Statewide Abstract in 2018. Since inception the group has sought to not only network with each other but help organizations and individuals in need. Each meeting begins with a discussion of the philanthropic efforts before any business is discussed.

Past donations include a $500 donation to General Needs, a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping homeless Veterans and their families. The money went to purchase 20 winter coats for Veterans. For the last two Christmas seasons the group has donated toys to Toys for Tots. In August of 2021, the group established a GoFundMe page for one of their members who was diagnosed with ALS raising nearly $100,000 and they have also made donations to Feeding Westchester and New Rochelle Hospital ICU. Many members of the group also support the annual golf outing hosted by Statewide Abstract to benefit St. Jude’s Research Hospital which has raised over $200,000.

In addition to Withers and Meccia, the members of the group include John Barrett of RM Friedland, Richard Flahive of Hightower Westchester, Ron Hoina of Design Development Architects, Richard Klein of Klein Greco Law, Michael Murphy of Murphy Brothers Contracting, Ben Palancia of Albert Palancia Agency, Inc., Jean Coney of Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, Elissa Grayer of Elissa Grayer Interior Design, Francie Malina of Compass, Anthony Morando of Cuddy & Feder, Risa Hoag of GMG Public Relations, Lou Gallo of Wells Fargo, Jordan Linkowski of First Republic Bank, and Jac Zadrima of Genesis Realty Group.

The group meets every other week to share real estate and financial news. For more information visit www.realestatenetworkingny.com