East Boston local business staple Sammy Carlo’s was presented with a plaque recognizing the popular restaurant as the 2025 Albert “Junior” Lombardi Elf of the Year recipient by Eastie’s Elves.

The plaque was presented by Eastie’s Elves’ Representative Adrian Madaro and his wife Ariel Madaro, who run the annual toy drive, and Rita Lombardi, wife to the late Junior Lombardi, a longtime community activist in whose memory the award is named.

On hand to accept the award was longtime Sammy Carlo’s operator Steve Scire, who owns the restaurant alongside his wife Kathy.

For years, this multi-generational, family-owned eatery has been a fixture in the East Boston community. In addition to being a local favorite where residents can get a delicious and affordable breakfast or lunch, Sammy Carlo’s is also present at many of the events around the community, donating food or offering catering services to local organizations and activities. Sammy Carlo’s has donated food and supplies to East Boston’s annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner, which serves free meals to members of the community on Thanksgiving Day. For Eastie’s Elves, Sammy Carlo’s has participated in the annual toy collection drop box program since it was introduced in 2020. Each year, Sammy Carlo’s continues to deliver multiple overflowing boxes filled with toys, donated by patrons, staff, and the Scire family themselves. This generosity has gone a long way toward brightening the holidays of children and their families in East Boston, Winthrop, and Revere.

“I’m proud to honor Steve and Sammy Carlo’s with the recognition they deserve with the 2025 Albert “Junior” Lombardi Elf of the Year Award,” said Rep. Madaro. “Sammy Carlo’s is a true community-oriented business, and the Scire Family has long been deeply committed to causes that help enrich our community and serve its most vulnerable residents. They embody the spirit of community service that is Junior Lombardi’s legacy. I’m proud to be both a loyal customer and a partner in these efforts”.

Eastie’s Elves is an annual toy drive held in East Boston, Revere, and Winthrop annually by the Madaro Family Community Fund. Comprised of toy collection boxes in local businesses and community organizations and capped with a toy collection gala, Eastie’s Elves collects thousands of toys per year which are distributed along with holiday assistance funds to local community organizations to distribute to families across the three communities.

The Junior Lombardi Elf of the Year Award is awarded annually at Eastie’s Elves to an exemplary member of the community who embodies the spirit of community service exemplified by local activist and volunteer Junior Lombardi. Starting in 2025, the Award is given to local organizations and businesses that embrace these ideals.

The next Eastie’s Elves Celebration and Toy Drive will be held Friday, December 11, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Logan Airport. Admission is a donation of at least one unwrapped toy.