Love Train Makes Its Last Stop in Rockaway

By Katie McFadden

Last stop—Rockaway! Beach 129th was full of love on Sunday, February 25, as the Anthony Filippazzo Grant Love Train pulled into Bulloch’s station, spreading love and awareness for Williams Syndrome.

All were welcome to celebrate as the AFG Love Train made its final stop in Rockaway after a month-long tour around the boroughs, with conductor Anthony Filippazzo, a 12-year-old boy who lives with Williams Syndrome, at the helm.

The afternoon party at Bulloch’s was full of giveaways, DJ music, a visit from Cupid (Roger Hanson), performances by singers Bella Priolo and Emma Berardelli, and some epic dance moves by Anthony.

Filippazzo himself made a speech before the performances saying, “Thank you for Frank Naccarato for building our love train and thank you for Bulloch’s and thank to all of you for coming here and spreading love together.”

Anthony’s mom, Camille Fortunato, added, “Thank you to those who came out and weathered the cold with us. The amount of support and love and enthusiasm that we’ve gotten from everyone, businesses and individuals, is something we will cherish always. We appreciate all the amazing relationships we’ve made along the way. Williams Syndrome is rare, Williams Syndrome is poorly understood, and Williams Syndrome is currently untreatable. We have spent the last 10 years working very hard to change all of that.”

For more about Anthony’s story, see @AFresearchgrant on Instagram. To donate or learn more about Williams Syndrome, see: www.wsresearch.org