L-R-Legislator Shanae Williams, Honorees Bruno and Liridona Ukaj, BOL Chair Vedat Gashi
Honors Yonkers restauranteurs Bruno and Liridona Ukaj and North Castle Councilman Sonny Vataj
The Westchester County Board of Legislators celebrated Albanian American Heritage Month on Monday evening with a ceremony honoring Yonkers restaurant owners Bruno and Liridona Ukaj and North Castle Councilman and Assistant Chief of the Armonk Volunteer Fire Department Sonny Vataj.
The Ukajs, who emigrated from Kosovo to Yonkers, have built their restaurant on Main Street—Giovanni’s—into a community hub and source of charitable giving. Vataj, also from Kosovo, came to the United States as a young teen. He serves on the North Castle Town Board and as Assistant Chief of the Armonk Volunteer Fire Department.
Chairman Vedat Gashi (D–New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown), who convened the ceremony, said, “As an Albanian American, this celebration is close to my heart. I grew up with the same values our honorees live by every day: hard work, loyalty to family, and keeping your word. Bruno, Liridona, and Sonny carry those values into everything they do, whether that’s feeding neighbors in need, opening their doors to community leaders, or answering the call as a volunteer firefighter. They make Westchester a better place to call home.”
Majority Whip Shanae Williams (D–Yonkers) said, “Bruno and Liridona Ukaj are a beautiful example of the American Dream. They came to Westchester from Kosovo, built a home, invested in Yonkers, and established an incredible small business in the heart of downtown Yonkers. They raised their children here, sending them through Yonkers Public Schools, and have continued to give back to the community in countless ways.
Their story is about hard work, perseverance, family, entrepreneurship, and a deep commitment to the community they call home. I am incredibly proud of Bruno and Liridona and grateful for all they contribute to Yonkers. It is an honor to celebrate their story and recognize their contributions during Albanian Heritage Month.”
Minority Leader Margaret A. Cunzio (C–North Castle, Mount Pleasant, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, Harrison) said, “I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work and volunteer with Sonny. He is the type of person who wants to solve problems, work together to find solutions, and most importantly—he does it with integrity and honesty. It is not often you find someone with his character and his ability to keep his word—but he has demonstrated this time and time again. He gives of his time to help others when they need it, and that takes a very special person. Sonny has kept family and community at the center of his life and I am proud to honor him for our Albanian American Heritage celebration.”
The meeting replay will be posted here when available.