Main Street Vineland to Honor Dalesandro at Annual Event
Main Street Vineland is proud to present the prestigious Samuel Levy Lifetime Achievement Award to Donata Dalesandro. The Samuel Levy Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 2022 to honor the spirit of community and volunteerism embodied by the late Samuel Levy, an original and dedicated member of Main Street Vineland.
“Sam was an incredibly dedicated member of our organization from the very beginning,” says Russell Swanson, executive director of Main Street Vineland. “We created this award to honor that spirit. Sam was our first recipient, posthumously, and Sandy Forosisky received it in 2023. Donata is a truly deserving third recipient of this prestigious award.”
A lifelong resident of Vineland, Dalesandro has been deeply involved with Main Street Vineland since Landis Avenue was designated a Main Street District. She recently retired from Newfield National Bank, where she served for 19 years as the marketing officer and the bank’s community liaison. She is married to Larry Chiovari.
Dalesandro’s commitment to her community is extensive and spans many organizations. Her current volunteer roles include:
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland & Salem Counties: Board of Directors member and a “Big Sister” mentor, recognized as Big Sister of the Year.
• Vineland Development Corporation Board: Serves as a resident liaison, a position she has held under four mayoral administrations.
• Vineland Historical & Antiquarian Society: Volunteers as a tour guide and serves on the Events Committee.
• Vineland Main Street: Holds key roles as Organization and Design Chairs and is responsible for the window displays at the VDID office.
• Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP): Actively works to revitalize neighborhoods surrounding the downtown area. Serves on the NPP Stakeholder Team.
She has also previously served as the Promotions Chair for the Vineland Downtown Improvement District/Main Street, where she led the city’s first street festivals, including “Dancing in the Streets,” featuring headliners like Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.
Additionally, she was instrumental in organizing other popular downtown events like the Rib ‘n Chili Festival, Seafood Festival, and the annual parades. Donata also previously served on the Main Street Board.
Beyond these roles, Donata has dedicated her time to many other causes, including:
• Vineland Rotary Club member
• Vineland Elks 1422 (Trustee for 13 years)
• Friends of Historic Vineland board member
• Petway School (student mentor for 10 years)
Her decades of service have earned her several awards, including the Liberty Bell Award (2015), the Charles A. Loyle Award (2020), Volunteer of the Year by Main Street Vineland (2022), and Big Sister of the Year (2025).
On Wednesday, October 22, Main Street Vineland will host its annual A Taste of Vineland & Volunteer Recognition Event to honor our dedicated volunteers and partners, including Dalesandro. The event, which takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course, will feature signature dishes from Vineland’s top restaurants and a silent auction. Tickets are available at www.theave.biz.
