Elliman Cares: North Fork Agents Build 20 Beds for Children in Need
by ELLIMAN INSIDER TEAM
June 2025
When John and Cindy Succoso learned about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that provides beds for children in need, the two Long Island, NY-based agents for Douglas Elliman immediately reached out to inquire about volunteering. And when they learned that the organization had no chapters on Long Island, they stepped up to start one themselves.
Last month, the Succosos partnered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the Rotary Clubs on the North Fork for a bed-building event at the brokerage’s Cutchogue, NY, where some 50 volunteers—including 10 fellow Elliman agents—worked together to build 20 new beds in just four hours.
“Mary and I have always believed in the power of community, and this event gave us the opportunity to turn that belief into action,” said John Succoso. “Thanks to a generous donation from Douglas Elliman, which covered the cost of materials and provided our office parking lot as the build site, the event was a huge success.”
For Cindy Succoso, that success was twofold: not only did it spread awareness about the organization and its mission, but it also gave people the chance to make a material difference.
“A 20-bed build is so inspiring for all involved,” she said. “It’s so satisfying when you can provide a child with such a basic need. We know it has the potential to truly change the course of their growth both emotionally and physically. And when you get a big group of people working together for one goal, it’s a powerful thing.”
Working with Joseph Savio, Executive Manager of Sales, North Fork, at Douglas Elliman, the Succosos had little trouble selling the volunteer opportunity to their fellow agents—including Patricia Shackel, John de Reeder, Suzette Reiss, Andrea Parks, Kieran Collings, Scott Bennett, Terry Rogers, Tom Uhlinger, and Mary Gatto.
“After John's initial presentation during the office meeting, the agents immediately said, ‘Where can I sign up?’ and off we went!” Cindy Succoso said. “Everyone on build day was ready to accept any assignment, from sanding and staining, to sawing and sweeping—they were there to do whatever it took to get the job done.”
For John Succoso, one of the best, most heartwarming parts of the day was seeing all of the people who were driving by and stopped to donate “unprompted and out of the kindness of their hearts,” he said. “It was an incredible reminder of how generous our community is.”
And best of all, he said, this won’t be the last Elliman-sponsored bed-builds.
“We’re excited to share that we plan to make this a biannual event to continue supporting Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the families they serve,” he said. “Stay tuned—we'd love for even more people to join us next time!”
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